Is Coffee Good or Bad for Losing Weight?

Coffee is most widely used for the surge of energy it produces. Many Americans consume coffee as part of their daily routine to keep their energy levels high. The main contributor to coffee's effect on energy is also the reason that coffee may improve your weight loss efforts. The caffeine in coffee speeds up your physical energy, mental alertness and metabolism. However, coffee is not a weight loss solution and should be consumed in moderation to avoid potential side effects. Also, be aware of the ingredients in your java because depending on your coffee drink of choice, the flavorings could negate coffee's weight loss benefits.

Coffee Drinks To Avoid For Weight Loss

Commercial coffee houses tend to add quite a bit of ingredients to popular drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos that may be adding pounds to your waistline, rather than subtracting. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, some coffee drinks at popular franchises load more saturated fat into one cup than you need for the entire day. These designer drinks are also packed with sugar and simple carbohydrates, which can make your blood sugar soar. When your blood glucose and insulin levels are high your body can more readily store fat for future use. Stay away from specialty frappes and other fancy drinks if you are trying to lose weight because they add high amounts of calories, fat, sugar and carbohydrates to your body and they are not even a meal.

Coffee Choices to Aid Weight Loss

If you prefer your coffee black then you will reap its weight loss benefits. If you can't stand the bitter taste but have to have your morning cup of Joe don't worry, there's ways to add some sweetness without a ton of fat and sugar. Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D., at MayoClinic.com states that you can use sugar substitutes as sweeteners and they won't add the calories that sugar adds and they won't raise your blood sugar. She suggests staying away from sugar alcohols and using artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or sucralose. For creamer selections avoid any that contain sugar and opt for unsweetened milk substitutes such as almond milk.

Caffeine and Weight Loss

Caffeine has many effects on weight loss. Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., at MayoClinic.com points out that caffeine may not lead to significant or permanent weight loss, but it may slightly enhance weight loss or prevent weight gain if paired with a healthy diet and exercise. Caffeine stimulates your metabolism, which increases the amount of calories you burn per second. It also acts as a diuretic and can lower your overall weight by reducing the amount of fluid you are carrying. This can be helpful to women who gain water-weight from fluid retention during menstruation. Caffeine also speeds up thermogensis, which is a way your body burns calories from food digestion. It can temporarily suppress your appetite as well.

Warning

Avoid consuming over 600 mg per day, warns MayoClinic.com. Too much caffeine can lead to headaches, restlessness and anxiety. Caffeine can interact with medicines, so talk with your doctor about your current medications and combining them with caffeine. Caffeine is also hard on your liver so avoid drinking coffee with other substances that are hard on the liver such as alcohol and certain pain relievers. Caffeine speeds up your heart rate so refrain from strenuous workouts when caffeine is in your system, and it normally lasts for approximately 6 hours after intake.