Coffee has many nutritional benefits, but too much can adversely affect the human body. Coffee alone won't help you lose noticeable weight, but it can slightly boost weight loss or help prevent pesky weight gain.

Remember! As mentioned in Wild Foods' previous article about the nutritional value of coffee and "How Does Coffee Affect Your Digestion," only 8 ounces a day is the safe amount of coffee to consume to benefit from the delectable beverage?

Although research about the effects of coffee and weight loss is not definitive, there are a few working theories about how coffee (due to its caffeine content) might affect your weight.

These theories include appetite suppression by reducing the feeling of hunger and burning calories by increasing energy when you're at rest.

Ways Coffee Can Support Your Weight Loss Journey

As mentioned before, coffee (due to its caffeine content) can affect your weight. It can do this by suppressing appetite and burning calories while your body is resting.

Appetite Suppression

Coffee contains phytochemical compounds called chlorogenic acids. These compounds are naturally occurring acids in roasted coffee beans. These acids are what "suppresses" hunger and curve your appetite temporarily.

You can also find these naturally occurring acids in fruits like apples, pears, strawberries, pineapple, and blueberries.

• Coffee doesn't technically suppress your appetite, but it works out that way.
• Coffee is a stimulant, which allows you to focus easier. When your brain is engaged and focused on a task, you notice hunger significantly less.
• As with any stimulant, there are issues with becoming resistant to the drug, so you'll need more substantial doses to get the same result. It's essential to monitor your caffeine intake and take periods as "caffeine fasts" to reset your tolerance.

Coffee already has an impressive list of health benefits, including antioxidants and nutrients that highly benefit the human body. When you need to focus and shake off some of that sleepiness, reach for that cup of coffee.

Try a little decaf and organic coffee, easy on the sugar and creamer, or maybe even none, if you want to enjoy the full benefits coffee offers.

Decaf coffee reduces hunger and suppresses your appetite due to its protein called "PYY." This protein helps to reduce your desire to eat. The sharpened focus due to caffeine intake may also have something to do with that suppressed appetite.

Increase Base Metabolic Rate

Coffee is known to increase your energy, which in return can sharpen your focus. Because of this power increase, thermogenesis occurs, causing your body to generate heat and energy from digesting food, thus burning calories.

May Increase Base Metabolic Rate

• While it's not sure, studies have suggested that drinking coffee can raise your metabolic rate.
• Compared to a placebo, caffeine increased energy expenditure by almost 150 kcal! That's the equivalent of walking for 35 minutes at 3.5MPH. That's a significant increase.

Function as a Change of Pace Drink During Periods of Fasting.

• Not everyone uses intermittent fasting on their weight loss journey, but it's a powerful tool for helping along the way.
• You want to consume as close to 0 calories as possible during fasting for maximum benefit. This means you must drink lots of water to keep hunger at bay.
• Black coffee is VERY close to 0 calories and would generally not likely trigger an insulin response. So it becomes an excellent drink for helping you get through your fasted state regularly.‍

Commonly asked questions

Q: Which coffee is best for weight loss?

Since the stimulant caffeine is the most significant contributor to weight loss, a light roast black coffee is probably your best bet. Contrary to popular belief, fair roast coffees have MORE caffeine than a dark roast, even if dark roast tastes stronger.ff

Q: How to brew my coffee for weight loss?

Whole bean light roast coffee that you freshly grind (at home). Drink your coffee black, or add some Wild Cocoa Butter to add that extra flavor for those who don't like black coffee (put me in this category)!

Q: What is the best creamer for weight loss?

Most creamers will not be conducive to your goals of supporting weight loss. If you must add creamer to your coffee, you'll want something with a coconut cream base. Try using almond milk in place of creamer. In the end, black coffee is the best.

Q: Is coffee bad for you when trying to lose weight?

There is no evidence that coffee works against weight loss. Coffee does contain the stimulant caffeine, and like everything else, too much can cause more harm than good. Make sure you understand the boundaries of caffeine and the side effects of taking too much.

Q: Does coffee reduce belly fat?

Coffee will not reduce belly fat; it is simply a tool in your weight-loss toolbox to support your journey.

Mood booster, energy booster, improved health, and a proactive digestive system is only some of the many health benefits that coffee, in healthy doses, contributes to the human body.