Can Caffeine Help You Diet and Lose Weight?
Let's get skinny! More coffee, dear?
Trying to lose weight, most people will try to find any help that is available. One of those little helpers is caffeine. But wait a minute…there are a few contradicting theories when it comes to caffeine use in athletes and how effective it is in diets. There’s also a few negative effect that caffeine consumption can cause in a human body. Let’s delve right into the theory that caffeine can help you lose weight.
Glycogen and Fat: Which does the body burn?
According to Vanderbilt University, citing a study conducted by Rice University, says that glycogen is the principle fuel for muscles but that the body has another abundant resource that it can use to energize muscles: Fat. When caffeine enters the body, it causes the muscles to use the fat instead of the glycogen which is then stored for later use.
So, what does this mean? With caffeine in your system the body will immediately start to burn fat. That’s good! But, what is great about this is that the glycogen will still be available to fuel the remainder of the workout, allowing you to power through workouts longer and harder which will prolong the burning of calories. Calories burnt result in further weight loss.
Slow, “Coffee Head”, don’t overdo it!
The Mayo Clinic has some very interesting things to say about the amount of caffeine someone takes in.
But, c’mon….lots of people rely on their morning coffee to get going, shake the cobwebs of sleep out, and intensify their focus and concentration. It can’t be that bad for you…right?
No, it’s not. In moderation, that is.
About 2-4 cups of brewed coffee a day isn’t harmful at all. This will equate to about 200-400 milligrams of caffeine per day and it can provide a lot of benefit to include:
- Stimulating the CNS (Central Nervous System)
- Alleviate Fatigue
- Increase alertness and wakefulness
- Improving focus and concentration
The problem comes from people who are prone to overdo it. Anything more than 4 cups of brewed coffee a day, so more than 500-600 milligrams can result in the “bad stuff”. These negative side-effects include:
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Stomach upset
- Fast heartbeat
- Muscle tremors
Bottom Line:
Most adults will consume some type of caffeine and if you’re aim is to lose weight and you’re dieting than it can help to give your metabolic fat-burning process a good kick in the pants. Caffeine can also jump start your metabolism at times when you’re sedentary.
Just keep it within the 200-400 milligrams a day and you can reap the benefits of caffeine without experiencing the negative side effects.
Personal Opinion:
Remember, you’ve been warned about over doing your caffeine intake by professionals. However, this is my personal feeling on the matter: I am a coffee head. I love it. I have an extra-large with cream and sugar right after my work out on the daily.(Yes, cream and sugar…I’m just not willing to give up my love of morning coffee!) I find that caffeine keeps me revved up all day long, my metabolism kicking and the fat-burning. All that being said, I know when to cut off my intake during the day and I have never have issues sleeping at night because of it.
You need to make your own call about your caffeine intake. I’m not advising you to go and start chugging gallons of coffee to lose weight and enhance your diet. I’m just saying that if you are a coffee drinker, or some other caffeine vessel, then there is nothing wrong with it and you are not hurting your diet.
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Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Very efficiently written story. It will be valuable to everyone who employess it, including myself. Keep up the good work i will definitely read more posts.
Thanks for the kind words! Do you drink a lot of caffeine?