5 things you may not have known about coffee/the "must not miss" system
Diet and exercise are always the core of any successful weight loss strategy, but according to experts, there is one fat-fighting tool that doesn't require heavy lifting at all and is even tasty - we're talking about your cup of coffee, of course.
It's no secret that caffeine can be helpful in your weight loss journey, but how much do you really need to drink each day to shed those extra pounds?
In an article published in the online magazine EAT THIS, NOT THAT, several leading dietitians explained that 200 to 400 mg of coffee should be the guideline, depending on your weight. This is equivalent to between two and five cups of coffee a day. Their
recommendation is in line with research from the University Harvard showed that four cups of coffee (without milk or sweeteners) per day can lower body fat by about 4%.
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"Coffee contains caffeine, which has thermogenic effects and can speed up metabolism, helping you burn more calories," said the dietitians.
"Some studies have shown that it can help reduce BMI, body weight and body fat. Coffee can also curb appetite and reduce hunger."
"Studies show that drinking coffee before a meal can reduce the calories you eat at the next meal, even if you drink the coffee up to four hours before the meal. Coffee also contains chlorogenic acid, which has been shown to increase fat burning and may help slow the absorption of carbohydrates."
But, there is one very important warning regarding the coffee: "If you add cream, whole milk or sugar to the coffee, you can easily offset each of the calories you burn from the coffee," they explained.
"In fact, a new study published in Clinical Nutrition found that drinking a cup of coffee a day can help with weight loss, but adding a teaspoon of sugar negates the benefit."
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