Category: Coffee Benefits

Listing of all the articles in Coffee Benefits category.

Fat Loss Diet Twice as Effective with Caffeine

Posted on September 5, 2023September 5, 2023 by Brian in Coffee Benefits

Many on the journey of weight loss have likely heard of the potential benefits of caffeine as a supplement to aid in shedding excess pounds. However, a comprehensive understanding of its effectiveness during a weight loss regimen is often lacking.

Here’s an interesting study I’ve found from 2014. A study conducted by nutritional scientists from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran has shed light on this matter, revealing that caffeine can play a pivotal role in accelerating weight loss when integrated into a slimming diet.

The Study at a Glance

The study involved 60 women with a BMI ranging from 25 to 40. These women embarked on a calorie shifting diet spanning six weeks. This diet strategy alternated between a calorie intake of 1350 kilocalories per day for 11 days, followed by three days of unrestricted eating. This cycle was repeated three times during the six weeks. Subsequently, the participants followed a calorie maintenance diet for an additional four weeks, which ultimately amounted to a 10-week experiment.

What set this study apart was that half of the women incorporated caffeine supplementation into their diet throughout the entire 10-week period. The caffeine dosage administered equated to 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, with the caffeine dissolved in water for consumption.

These are the results:

The outcomes of this study were nothing short of remarkable. Women who adhered to the weight loss diet without caffeine supplementation experienced an average weight loss of 5.2 kilograms over the course of the study. In contrast, those who included caffeine in their diet witnessed an astonishing weight loss of 12.1 kilograms, more than doubling the weight loss achieved without caffeine.

When it came to fat loss, caffeine once again emerged as a potent ally. Participants who followed the diet without caffeine experienced a fat loss of 4.3 kilograms. Conversely, those who supplemented with caffeine saw their fat mass diminish by an impressive 9.6 kilograms.

In terms of lean body mass preservation, the caffeine group triumphed, losing only 2.5 kilograms, compared to the non-caffeine group, which lost nearly one kilogram of lean body mass.

Unveiling the Mechanism

The study also sought to uncover the mechanisms at play behind caffeine’s weight loss acceleration. Resting calorie expenditure (RMR) decreased during the initial six weeks in both groups, though this reduction was not statistically significant. However, it was observed that caffeine supplementation appeared to mitigate this decrease in calorie consumption.

Furthermore, it also exhibited the ability to reduce the women’s sense of hunger. This effect was especially pronounced in the last four weeks of the study, suggesting that caffeine might contribute to reduced calorie intake by curbing appetite.

Conclusion

The study’s findings suggest that a calorie shifting diet can effectively reduce both body weight and fat mass over a six-week period, with these effects persisting for at least one month. However, the introduction of caffeine supplementation during and after the calorie shifting diet regimen produced a more consistent weight loss profile, even during the follow-up period. Additionally, resting metabolic rate did not significantly decrease during the calorie shifting diet, hinting that a higher metabolic rate may be a key factor in sustained weight loss with this diet strategy.

In summary, caffeine can be a valuable adjunct to a weight loss journey when combined with a calorie shifting diet. Its ability to enhance fat loss, preserve lean body mass, and reduce hunger makes it a promising supplement for those seeking to accelerate their progress towards a healthier weight. While the study results are promising, it’s important to remember that individual responses to caffeine/coffee may vary, and consulting a healthcare professional before incorporating caffeine into your diet is advisable, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.

What Kind of Coffee Is The Least Strong

Posted on February 19, 2023February 22, 2023 by Brian in Coffee Benefits, Making Coffee

Are you one of those that don’t like coffee much, get the jitters? Read on, to learn more about various coffe types and variations.

decaffeinated As a coffee enthusiast and drinker, I will tell you that the amount of caffeine in a coffee drink can differ greatly depending on the type of coffee, the brewing method, and the serving size. For those who are sensitive to caffeine or simply looking for a more gentle option, there are a few coffee drinks that are known to have lower levels of caffeine.

Decaf Coffee – Decaf coffee is made from regular coffee beans that have had most of the caffeine removed. While not entirely caffeine-free, decaf coffee has significantly less caffeine than regular coffee. This makes it an ideal option for those who are sensitive to caffeine or simply want a milder coffee experience.
Americano – An Americano is made with espresso and hot water. Espresso has a high concentration of caffeine, but the addition of hot water dilutes it, making it milder in terms of caffeine content.
Café Latte – A café latte is made with espresso and steamed milk. The milk in a latte dilutes the espresso, reducing the overall caffeine content of the drink.
Cappuccino – A cappuccino is similar to a latte, but with less milk and more foam. This makes it a bit stronger in flavor than a latte, but still milder in terms of caffeine content compared to an espresso.
Drip Coffee – Drip coffee is made by brewing ground coffee beans with hot water. The amount of caffeine in a serving of drip coffee can vary greatly depending on the type of coffee and the brewing method, but it is generally considered to have less caffeine compared to espresso-based drinks.

Please note, that although these coffee drinks may have lower levels of caffeine, they may still contain enough caffeine to affect those who are particularly sensitive to it. Furthermore, the caffeine content of coffee can also vary depending on the roast level, the origin of the coffee beans, and the brewing method, so it’s essential to keep that in mind when deciding on your coffee drink.

So, in conclusion, if you are looking for a coffee drink that has less or little caffeine, then Decaf Coffee, Americano, Café Latte, Cappuccino, or Drip Coffee may be a good option for you to consider. Keep in mind that personal preferences and sensitivities can play big part here, so it may be worth trying out a several options to find the one that works best for you.

A cup of coffee can improve sports performance

Posted on May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 by Brian in Coffee Benefits

How much of an effect can a cup of coffee have for sports performance? Here’s an interesting study I’ve found from 2020.

Although the human study that sports scientists at University of Coventry in England published, focused on cyclists, it could also apply to other athletes. Neil Clarke, Darren Richardson and others have shown that even athletes who consume large amounts of caffeine do better after a strong coffee.

Two occasions were used to study this: 46 recreational cyclists were able to ride 5 km in the shortest time possible.

One time, the cyclists had a cup of coffee-flavored placebo before they started climbing on their bikes. They also drank instant coffee with caffeine the other time. Researchers determined that subjects consumed 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of their body weight.

These are the results:

A cup of coffee made subjects work 8 seconds faster.

A cup of coffee can improve your sports performance, regardless of how much caffeine you consume.

Researchers divided the subjects into two groups: one that consumed very little caffeine per day (less than 3 mg per kilo daily) (low user); and one that consumed more caffeine per day (more than 6 mg per kilo daily) (high user).

Both low and high users performed equally well.

Conclusion

Researchers concluded that habitual caffeine intake did not impact the ergogenicity and coffee ingestion before a 5-km cycling trial, but improved 5-km cycling time-trial performance, and therefore, coffee is an effective source of caffeine.