If you’re looking to lose weight, you’ve probably heard it all – apple cider vinegar in the mornings, grapefruit for breakfast, avoiding carbs, and even cereal for every meal. But could something as simple as coffee help you lose weight? 

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Let’s explore this – read on to find out everything you need to know about coffee and weight loss.  

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Does Coffee Increase Your Metabolism? 

Yes, coffee can increase your metabolism due to the caffeine content. Caffeine boosts your resting metabolic rate (RMR) – in one trial, there was a significant increase in RMR after ingesting caffeine over three hours. 

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Caffeine can increase your RMR by anything from 3 to 11% - and, of course, larger doses of caffeine have a greater effect. Caffeine can also significantly increase fat oxidation, with one study finding that caffeine increased fat burning by up to 29% in lean people. 

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However, the effect caffeine has on your metabolism can vary depending on how fit you are and your body composition. For example, if you are less active, then you might notice a greater increase in RMR after drinking coffee.  

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The calories in coffee can vary depending on the milk you use too – as you can see in the table above, the milkier coffees have more calories. Here are the calories in different types of milk (approx):

• Skimmed milk = 5 calories per tablespoon
• Semi-skimmed milk = 6 calories per tablespoon
• Whole milk = 9 calories per tablespoon 
• Almond milk = 2.5 calories per tablespoon

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Benefits of Coffee for Weight Loss

1 - Coffee Can Suppress Your Appetite

Coffee can help to suppress your appetite, making you less likely to overeat and consume too many calories. If you drink coffee before a meal, you're more likely to consume less - supporting your weight loss efforts. 

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2 - Coffee Can Give You More Energy

Coffee can give you a short-term energy boost, which can make it easier for you to exercise and burn more calories. In fact, caffeine can boost exercise performance by around 11/ 12% – which is perfect if you want to burn more calories. 

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3 - Coffee Can Reduce Water Retention

Caffeine has diuretic effects - it can help to reduce water retention. Although this can reduce the numbers on the scale, it doesn't really count as 'weight loss'  – it simply helps you lose water weight. 

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4 - Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat Quicker  

We have already established that coffee can help to boost your metabolism, which means that your body will burn more calories whilst resting. Caffeine can also increase the release of fatty acids in your bloodstream - which your body can then use as energy whilst in a calorie deficit. 

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Why Is Coffee Making Me Gain Weight? 

So, we’ve established that coffee can make it easier to lose weight – but in some cases, it might actually contribute to weight gain…

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Your Go-To Coffee Order is Calorific

Some coffee drinks contain a lot of fat and sugar – with some coffees containing over 400 calories. If you’re drinking a Starbucks Grande Caramel Frappuccino every day, you’re consuming an extra 420 calories a day. 

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If you have a large latte from Starbucks every day on top of that, you could be consuming an additional 190 calories a day – which brings your daily calorie total to 610 calories from coffees alone. If you want to lose weight or avoid gaining weight, opt for a low-calorie option such as a black coffee or a latte with skimmed milk – and avoid the sweet, sugary coffees!  

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You Struggle to Sleep Due to Coffee

Lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain. If you don't get enough sleep, you are more likely to consume more calories and opt for higher-fat foods – and lack of sleep can also lower your metabolism and make you less likely to exercise.

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Caffeine can affect your sleep patterns – especially if you drink it too close to bedtime. So, if coffee is keeping you up at night, it can indirectly lead to weight gain. To avoid this, drink coffee at least 8 hours before your bedtime to give your body time to process it and for the effects to wear off. 

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Can I Drink Coffee on Weight Loss Injections? 

Yes, it is safe to drink coffee whilst on weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. The only thing to do is consume it in moderation as excess caffeine can in some people result in worsening of the gastrointestinal side effects of weight loss medications. 

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Looking to get started on Mounjaro? Or do you want to give Wegovy a try? We’ve got you covered – book a consultation with our doctors at Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic today to begin your weight loss journey. 

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