ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (Online): Statistics reveal that Americans love their coffee. In fact, 74% of people surveyed by Drive Research reported enjoying the steamy beverage on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
Scientists say that coffee consumption can be a healthy habit.
\nDrinking moderate amounts of coffee has been linked to lower rates of a range of health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
Now, we may be able to add another benefit to the list. A study published October 1 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that drinking coffee is associated with weight loss. However, there is one catch \u2014 it must be drunk unsweetened.<\/p>\n
Studying the link between coffee and weight loss
\nThe study authors noted that coffee is often consumed along with sugar, artificial sweeteners, cream, or non-dairy creamers.<\/p>\n
The researchers wanted to investigate the relationships between how much coffee people drank, how much caffeine they consumed, and how their weight changed when considering what they added to their coffee.
\nThey also wanted to examine whether coffee or caffeine could mitigate any weight change due to adding sugar.<\/p>\n
The large study included 48,891 people from the Nurses\u2019 Health Study, 83,464 people from the Nurses\u2019 Health Study II, and 22,863 people from the Health Professional Follow-up Study.<\/p>\n
All participants were asked to fill out questionnaires regarding their food and beverage consumption during the past year as well as over the next four years.<\/p>\n
Data was collected for how much coffee they drank \u2014 both caffeinated and decaf \u2014 as well as what they chose to add to it.
\nThe researchers then analyzed the data to determine what relationships existed between coffee intake and people\u2019s weight throughout the course of the study.<\/p>\n
They found that an increase in coffee consumption of one cup of unsweetened coffee was linked to a decrease in weight of around 0.12 kilograms (0.26 pounds).<\/p>\n
On the other hand, when people increased their daily sugar intake by one teaspoon in any food or drink, they gained 0.09 kilograms (0.20 pounds).
\nCream and non-dairy creamer did not appear to have any effect on weight.
\nThe research team additionally noted that changes in coffee or sugar intake had a stronger effect on weight in both overweight and obese individuals and in younger people.<\/p>\n
They further found that caffeine also affected weight. When people\u2019s intake rose by 100 milligrams, the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee, weight gain was reduced by 0.08 kilograms (0.18 pounds).<\/p>\n
Based on on their findings, the scientists concluded that, while increased coffee intake helped people lose weight, adding a teaspoon of sugar canceled out the effect.
\nWhy drinking unsweetened coffee might affect weight loss
\nDr. Colleen Gulick, an exercise physiologist, explained that there were several ways in which coffee might affect weight.<\/p>\n
One is its thermogenicTrusted Source effect. \u201cCaffeine, a key component of coffee, is known to stimulate thermogenesis, which is the process by which the body generates heat and burns calories,\u201d she explained. \u201cThis thermogenic effect can increase energy expenditure.\u201d<\/p>\n
A second way coffee might impact weight is through suppressing appetite. \u201cCaffeine has been shown to have appetite-suppressing properties, which may reduce overall caloric intake,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
A third property of coffee to look at, according to Gulick, is its metabolic effects. \u201cCoffee contains bioactive compounds, such as chlorogenic acids aTrusted Sourcend polyphenols, that have been linked to metabolic benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism,\u201d she said. \u201cThese effects could potentially influence body weight regulation and contribute to weight loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
A fourth way coffee may influence weight loss, said Gulick, is through enhancing physical performanceTrusted Source. \u201cCaffeine has been shown to improve endurance and physical performance,\u201d she observed. \u201cBy increasing exercise capacity and intensity, regular consumption of unsweetened coffee might indirectly support weight loss efforts through increased calorie expenditure during physical activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, finally, there are reasons outside of coffee itself that unsweetened coffee might aid weight loss, according to Michelle Saari MSc, RD. It could come down to the difference in calories that you are consuming.
\n\u201cPeople tend to fill their coffee cups with sugar, sweeteners, and rich creams,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you\u2019re adding all of these to your daily cup of coffee and having multiple cups per day you could be adding hundreds of extra calories simply in a cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giving an example, Saari noted that a medium black coffee at Starbucks with a shot of sugar-free syrup comes in a only 5 calories.
\nBy contrast, drinking a caramel macchiato will give you 250 calories and a hefty 33 grams of sugar.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if you\u2019re having trouble losing weight, consider switching to sugar-free syrup and avoiding the sugar-heavy drinks,\u201d she advised.
\nWhat health risks considering if you are increasing your coffee intake
\nDr. Alex Foxman, medical director of Achieve Health and Weight Loss, said that, while coffee has many health benefits, it may also have adverse effects on some people.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, coffee can cause insomnia, anxiety, jitteriness, palpitations, and gastrointestinal distress in some individuals,\u201d he said,\u201d especially those who are sensitive to caffeine or consume large amounts of it.\u201d
\nFoxman further noted that coffee can interact with medications and supplements, including anticoagulants, antidepressants, iron, and calcium.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, people who increase their coffee intake should consult their doctors if they have any medical conditions or take any medications that may be affected by coffee,\u201d he advised. \u201cThey should also monitor their caffeine intake and avoid drinking coffee too close to bedtime or on an empty stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (Online): Statistics reveal that Americans love their coffee. In fact, 74% of people surveyed by Drive Research reported enjoying the steamy beverage on a daily basis. Scientists say that coffee consumption can be a healthy habit. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee has […]<\/p>\n
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