Consider Your Caffeine
When it comes to weight loss coffee is a controversial topic. Coffee can impact the waistline positively or negatively depending on the individual and how it’s consumed. Caffeine is a stimulant which creates a thermogenic response in the body. This means it speeds up metabolic rate and causes more calories to be burned. The stimulant effect is due to the release of adrenaline which is a stress-triggered hormone. Adrenaline heightens physical strength for a short period of time, giving you more energy and motivation for exercise which allows you to burn more calories.
Stimulants have their place but with every peak comes the risk of a trough. For many people their adrenal glands are overused already and further stimulation can cause fatigue and illness. Caffeine can be part of a process that hinders weight loss if used in a way to keep you “tired and wired” – check out my articles on how stress and sleep deprivation affect your metabolic rate and motivation to exercise. Coffee also causes dehydration which further slows metabolic rate. And of course the number of calories you drink with your coffee affect your weight loss. Studies have shown that caffeine can suppress the appetite but the benefits can soon be undone if your elaborate coffee concoction contains the calories of an entire meal (check out your favourite beverage on myfitnesspal).
The recommended caffeine limit is 400mg per day, which is actually quite a lot of coffee considering most café shots are around 75mgs. A standard flat white or long black has around 150mg of caffeine, Volume aside, whether coffee is positive or negative for weight management and health depends on the individual. Quick metabolisers can have a cup of coffee just before bed and still sleep, while slow metabolisers eliminate the caffeine more steadily and can feel the effects many hours afterwards. A lot depends on your biotype. People who don't regularly drink caffeine tend to be more sensitive to its negative effects. If you are in good health generally and keep your caffeine well within recommended limits then coffee can be a happy habit as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Stimulants have their place but with every peak comes the risk of a trough. For many people their adrenal glands are overused already and further stimulation can cause fatigue and illness. Caffeine can be part of a process that hinders weight loss if used in a way to keep you “tired and wired” – check out my articles on how stress and sleep deprivation affect your metabolic rate and motivation to exercise. Coffee also causes dehydration which further slows metabolic rate. And of course the number of calories you drink with your coffee affect your weight loss. Studies have shown that caffeine can suppress the appetite but the benefits can soon be undone if your elaborate coffee concoction contains the calories of an entire meal (check out your favourite beverage on myfitnesspal).
The recommended caffeine limit is 400mg per day, which is actually quite a lot of coffee considering most café shots are around 75mgs. A standard flat white or long black has around 150mg of caffeine, Volume aside, whether coffee is positive or negative for weight management and health depends on the individual. Quick metabolisers can have a cup of coffee just before bed and still sleep, while slow metabolisers eliminate the caffeine more steadily and can feel the effects many hours afterwards. A lot depends on your biotype. People who don't regularly drink caffeine tend to be more sensitive to its negative effects. If you are in good health generally and keep your caffeine well within recommended limits then coffee can be a happy habit as part of a balanced lifestyle.