All About the Coffee Diet

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Seems like coffee lovers have all the more reason to love their favorite drink. Recently published in a book, it may be possible that those who drink coffee can reduce their waistline and start losing weight. It’s called the “coffee diet”. Here’s more for you to know:

WHAT’S THE DIET ABOUT?

The coffee diet originates from Dr. Bob Arnot’s 2017 book “The Coffee Lover’s Diet”. Through the book, the journalist and health expert discovers how drinking several cups of coffee a day has serious benefits including shedding off weight. He explains how the coffee increases metabolism, alleviates the effects of fatty foods, and even help burn more calories than those who don’t drink coffee. Conclusively, the diet promises burning fat, boosting metabolism, and suppressing appetite.

HOW TO WORK THE DIET?

The plan is to drink a minimum of 3 cups (720ml) of light-roasted, whole-bean coffee. Why so specific, you ask? It’s because light roasted beans tend to be richer in antioxidants than dark roasted. Make sure it’s light roasted so it’s easy for you to grind and prepare at home.

How many cups is the limit?

You can drink as many cups of coffee as you like so long that you reach the minimum count of three. What you can’t have is sugar and cream with it; it’s just not going to help the cause.

What about the food I consume?

Dr. Arnot recommends substituting at least one meal per day with a fibre-rich, homemade green smoothie. Take kale or spinach for example. Meals and snacks should be low in calories and fat and rich in fiber. Think grains, fruits and vegetables. Avoid highly processed foods like refined snack meals and frozen foods.

POTENTIAL PROS

“First, there’s an increase in metabolic affect. You’re going to burn 100 more calories a day by drinking coffee than if you haven’t,” says Dr. Arnot. “Second, if you’re drinking coffee before a workout, you’re burning many more free fatty acids.” Primarily, coffee really just has two benefits essential for weight loss: increased metabolism and decreased appetite. A study of 33 people who were either overweight or normal weight were examined where researchers concluded that after drinking coffee, lower calories were consumed by overweight people. In another study researchers found that among 600 people, greater caffeine intake was linked with decreased BMI and fat mass. When their caffeine intake was doubled, the participants’ weight, BMI and fat mass decreased by 17-28%! Coffee may also boost the amount of fat you burn from working out. One study analyzed 7 healthy men who worked out for 30 minutes and then drank a cup of either water or caffeinated coffee. Those who drank coffee burnt more fat than those who drank water. So to say, coffee can boost your metabolism and reduce appetite to great extents. However studies are still preliminary and more research is necessary to support Dr. Arnot’s claims.

POTENTIAL CONS

While people may drink both caffeinated and decaffeinated, most of the benefits are attributed to the former’s caffeine. The excessive caffeine intake can lead to several health problems like higher blood pressure, losing potassium, increased risks of bone fractures and depression, and a lot more trips to the washroom (coffee is diuretic!) To keep caffeine overdose in check, usually 4 cups of coffee per day is considered safe. The coffee diet also implies a sudden reduction in calories that makes it more likely for you to gain weight later. That’s because your body recognizes the sudden drop in calories and adapts by slowing your metabolism, thus reducing the number of calories you burn. It’s probable with weight loss through coffee you’re going to gain most of it back which leads us to believe it’s not a healthy long-term solution. Most people follow the coffee diet for only two to seven weeks.

BOTTOM LINE

The newly found coffee diet is not an ideal diet plan. The unlimited caffeine intake poses serious threats and that’s exactly why it’s better for one to stick to healthier diets that are overall sustainable and better to follow. Further research and observations are necessary to support this caffeine-infused diet. Until then, we hope you enjoy sipping through your regular coffee without hesitation![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]