When it comes to the all-important issue of burning belly fat, there’s been evidence of many methods touted to be the best one. One of the more popular forms, is that drinking coffee can burn fat – and specifically, belly fat. But is this true? Can coffee really help you to lose weight and fat around your midsection, or is it just an old wives’ tale?
Experts suggest that while coffee – and caffeine specifically – can offer some benefits when it comes to weight loss and reducing fat, ultimately it falls short of being a complete solution. While it has thermogenic properties – the ability to heat up the body and burn more calories – this mostly benefits those who are already exercising, and potentially adding in a pre-workout coffee may increase the intensity of a workout.
When it comes to belly fat, coffee cannot completely take care of that. While coffee provides stimulatory and diuretic effects, it is unable to target “belly fat” specifically. Dr. Sajani Sengupta, a nutrition expert with Mayo Clinic, says, ”Coffee can be a great tool for weight loss, however it doesn’t directly target the fat in your belly area. Coffee acts as an appetite suppressant, so as long as you are mindful of your overall calorie intake, it has the potential to help with belly fat loss.”
Sometimes caffeine can act as a diuretic which can reduce bloating. As bloating can often make the belly area appear bigger and make it seem like fat is there, reducing water retention can be helpful. Also, caffeine can enhance the energy spent, allowing those to exercise longer and at a higher intensity, which can help in aiding fat loss in general, whatever area it is. It is important to note that only moderate levels of caffeine are recommended, as having excessive amounts can actually be counterproductive.
So, although coffee can offer some potential benefits to those looking to burn belly fat, it’s better to think of it as something that can offer an enhancement, rather than being the be all and end all solution. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that diet and exercise are the most important factors in losing weight and burning fat. Coffee can be a helpful addition to an exercise regimen, but can never be the sole solution.
Cardio
Cardiorespiratory exercise is an essential part of burning fat, with the American College of Sports Medicine recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise weekly for optimal fat burn. It is a great way to burn overall body fat, that can also help to reduce fat from the midsection. Additionally, high intensity interval training (HIIT) can simultaneously burn fat and also improve fitness, helping with weight loss and fat burning as well.
Strength Training
Strength training does not directly work in burning belly fat, there is evidence that adding resistance exercise to cardio training can help to burn more fat overall than cardio alone. This evidence suggests that a combination of cardio and strength training together are the best method for fat burning.
Diet
Healthy eating plays an important part in losing weight and burning fat, specifically that around the belly. Eating a balanced diet that is low in fatty sugars and high in protein, vegetables and fruits is a great place to start. Additionally, reducing the overall calorie intake can help to support fat burning.
Sleep
Sleep is also important when it comes to weight and fat loss. Not getting enough sleep can increase hunger, and make us more likely to snack and eat high calorie foods. Ensuring an adequate amount of sleep – and quality of sleep – is important for overall body health and can help with fat burning and weight loss.
