Can Coffee Aid Your Weight Loss Program?

We are often asked if coffee is good for weight loss. Many people think that caffeine increases the metabolism and so calorie burn will also increase and weight loss will be aided. This does happen, but it is not the whole story because caffeine can also depress metabolism. This paradox is very situation dependent and so let me explain. When you have a cup of coffee, your body responds to caffeine by releasing endorphins. These elevate both your pleasure and metabolic levels, and you not only feel good but are more perky too. That is the good part because coffee can keep you alert and taken before exercise, it acts as a definite performance enhancer.

However, because caffeine also increases cortisol levels, you may feel more hungry. This is because cortisol is a stress hormone and the body is programmed to want to build up fat reserves under stress. Abdominal fat, in particular, results from long term elevation of cortisol. Ok, so where does that leave you? At the Mayo Clinic, dietician Karen Zeratsky (mayoclinic.com/health/calories/NU00185) makes what I believe to be the most useful comment...it's not so much the coffee but what you have with it! Take an espresso and compare that with a full cream cappuccino with a shot of vanilla essence - chalk and cheese! So keep a balance here.

Eat a decent breakfast with your coffee. Try not to drink coffee on an empty stomach early in the morning. Then watch how you drink it. If espresso just isn't your scene, try a long black or add a spot of low fat milk. If you can wean yourself off from adding sugar, even better. We find that a freshly made espresso using a good quality coffee machine (such as a Jura or Saeco) or coffee vending machine (the Bianchi range), is easily drunk without sugar or the need to add a milk product such as cream (to make a café macchiato). Even consider making an 80ml double espresso and diluting it to 200ml with hot water. This way you get the well rounded flavor without having to add flavorings such as milk or sugar.

Enjoy your coffee - remember weight loss requires reduced calorie intake, exercise and commitment - giving up life's one great pleasure for no real reason, would only add to the trauma of your diet!