Coffee has long been a favorite morning beverage for many, but does coffee make you gain weight? While coffee itself does not directly cause weight gain, it has some indirect links to unwanted weight gain. For example, the calories and sugar that come in flavored coffee drinks, or the type of food people eat with coffee can affect the size of their waistline. Here, we explore the various theories over whether drinking coffee makes you gain weight and what kind of other changes it can potentially bring.
Studies have revealed that coffee could bring benefits to weight management by promoting thermogenesis. This is due to the presence of caffeine in coffee, which helps to increase the internal body temperature, leading to fat utilization and weight loss. Studies have also shown that caffeine can reduce appetite, which can help reduce body weight. However, according to the European Journal of Nutrition, adding sugar, fat, and creamer to your coffee could lead to weight gain, not weight loss.
The amount of caffeine in regular coffee, which ranges from around 95-200mg per cup, can help suppress hunger and boost metabolism. As a result, it may help to increase the number of calories burned during the day. In a study published in the BMJ, researchers found that caffeine can slightly increase the basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the amount of energy our body uses to keep functioning at rest. They concluded that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine might be beneficial for weight control.
The type of coffee you drink can have an impact on whether or not you gain weight. Studies have found that some popular caffeinated beverages such as cappuccino and latte contain high levels of calories and fat. The excessive consumption of these drinks may lead to weight gain as well as an elevated risk of developing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Additionally, adding cream and sugar to your coffee can add up to an extra 300-400 calories per cup.
It is important to note that drinking coffee is not likely to cause weight gain if you take it black or with a low-calorie sweetener. In fact, there is evidence that coffee may help you burn more calories. However, if you consume too much of it in the form of sugary and creamy coffee drinks, then it could be detrimental to your health and weight loss goals.
Environmental Factors
The environment that is associated with coffee consumption can play a huge role in weight gain. A sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain. Furthermore, many people associate coffee drinking with eating pastries and other sugary snacks. The high sugar content in these snacks can be a major contributor to weight gain.
In addition, the setting where coffee is often consumed can be an issue. For example, some people might choose to grab coffee from a coffee shop on the way to work or on their lunch break. Unfortunately, coffee shops are often paired with high-calorie products, such as donuts or muffins. This could cause people to consume more calories than they may have originally intended, leading to weight gain.
Conclusion
Overall, it can be concluded that coffee is not likely to be directly linked to weight gain, but excessive consumption of coffee along with unhealthy food could lead to weight gain. As an alternative, coffee can be enjoyed as black coffee or with a low-calorie sweetener. Therefore, the consumption of coffee can be enjoyable without leading to unwanted weight gain.
