Caffeine and Weight Loss Research

Having that cup of coffee in the morning is a great way to perk you up (for me, it’s essential), but did you know that there are also weight loss benefits to that caffeine you’re consuming? Whether you get it through coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, or whatever your choice is, it can certainly provide incremental boosts in your quest to lose some weight.

What Research Says About Caffeine and Weight Loss

I used the word “incrementally” above because while it can give a little bit of a kick to your metabolism, don’t count on it as your primary source of permanent or significant weight loss (according to the Mayo Clinic).

That’s not to say that you can’t incorporate a little bit of caffeine in your diet, because there are certainly benefits to it. There’s even been a recent trend of caffeine diet pills, which you can read about here: dietpillreviews.com/best-caffeine-diet-pills-for-weight-loss. On that page, you’ll find our top recommendations for diet pills of that type. Many users swear by them, and we tried a number of them ourselves to see which delivered the best results.

There are a few theories as to why caffeine is effective in weight loss and a common diet pill ingredient. According to research, caffeine acts very well as an appetite suppressant. That’s the number one trait of any diet pill. The less hungry you are, the lower your cravings, and the less likely you are to overeat. This is especially true in eliminating unhealthy snacking.

Another theory posed by clinical studies is that caffeine burns calories faster. When you are energized by this stimulant, it increases energy use within your body. This is true even when you are resting. It does this by promoting thermogenesis, a process in which your body creates heat and energy by digesting the food you consume.

It is important to note, however, that the Mayo Clinic added the disclaimer that the studies that brought about these theories were not of high quality. Most studies were performed on animals, making the data less reliable to consider as gospel when projecting how it affects humans. Other studies also had a control group of decaffeinated coffee, and subjects experienced a modest amount of weight loss. This indicates that there may be other factors may be at play beyond just caffeine.

The Bottom Line

While the results are inconclusive, there is still evidence to suggest that caffeine can help with your weight loss goals. Just don’t expect it to be your only method of losing weight. Instead, drink coffee (or other caffeinated drinks) in moderation along with proper diet and exercise to get the best results. Avoid overconsuming caffeine as well, as it can lead to nervousness, nausea, irritability, sleep issues, and more.

There is another thing to keep in mind. Caffeinated drinks are also often loaded with sugars and have high-calorie content. This defeats the purpose of weight loss if you drink too much of them. Don’t go overboard!