Coffee is often touted as a health-promoting beverage, but can it really make you gain weight? The short answer is no, as long as you consume it in moderation. While coffee alone does not cause weight gain, it can adversely affect sleep, which can promote weight gain. In addition, many popular coffee drinks and coffee pairings are high in calories and added sugar. Research shows that drinking coffee in moderation can be beneficial for your health, but overdoing it can lead to weight gain.
Caffeine alone won't help you lose weight, but it may slightly increase efforts to lose weight or help prevent weight gain. Coffee served alone is low in calories, but if you add milk and sugar to your drink, it can quickly add up. In a new study, Australian researchers have found that drinking more than five or six cups of coffee a day can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. The study also found that caffeine does not promote weight loss.
People should be aware that expensive products such as dietary supplements from green coffee beans are not likely to help with weight loss. A 1-ounce shot of espresso has only 3 calories, while an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee has 2 calories, so no single drink will significantly increase your calorie intake. However, short-term alterations in insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels, which can lead to weight gain in the form of increased abdominal fat, can be caused by caffeine consumption. In addition, if drinking too much caffeinated coffee makes it difficult to get enough rest at night, even a virtually calorie-free brew could lead to weight gain.
You may want to consider switching to mushroom coffee or one of these coffee alternatives if you find yourself drinking too much caffeine. And even though that doesn't sound like much, it adds up; drinking five coffees a day in addition to the typical meal means you're consuming about 370 excess calories a day, which is enough for you to gain more than half a pound a week. In conclusion, while coffee alone does not cause weight gain, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with overconsumption. Drinking coffee in moderation can be beneficial for your health, but if you find yourself drinking too much caffeine or adding milk and sugar to your drink, it can quickly add up and lead to weight gain.
