COFFEE CONTAINS CAFFEINE, which is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in THE WORLD.
But does coffee really help you lose weight? This article takes a close look at the evidence.
Coffee Can Increase Your Metabolic Rate:
The rate at which you burn calories at rest is called resting metabolic rate (RMR).
The higher your metabolic rate, the easier it is for you to lose weight and the more you can eat without gaining weight.
Studies show that caffeine can increase RMR by 3–11%, with larger doses having a greater effect.
Interestingly, most of the increase in metabolism is caused by an increase in fat burning .Unfortunately, the effect is less pronounced in those who are obese.
One study showed that caffeine increased fat burning by as much as 29% in lean people, while the increase was only about 10% in obese individuals .
The effect also appears to decrease with age and is greater in younger individuals.
For more fat-burning strategies, check out this article on 10 easy ways to boost your metabolism.
Coffee Contains Stimulants:
Many biologically active substances found in coffee beans find their way into the final drink.
Several of them can affect metabolism:
- Caffeine: The main stimulant in coffee.
- Theobromine: The main stimulant in cocoa; also found in smaller amounts in coffee.
- Theophylline: Another stimulant found in both cocoa and coffee; has been used to treat asthma.
- Chlorogenic acid: One of the main biologically active compounds in coffee; may help slow the absorption of carbs.
The most important of these is caffeine, which is very potent and has been studied thoroughly.
Caffeine works by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine .
By blocking adenosine, caffeine increases the firing of neurons and release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. This, in turn, makes you feel more energized and awake.
In this way, coffee helps you stay active when you would otherwise feel tired. In fact, it may improve exercise performance by 11–12%, on average.
