Does Coffee Help You Lose Weight?

Ask any fitness expert and they will tell you that a cup of coffee is great for you. I can understand this because I have been drinking coffee since I was a teenager. My favorite morning beverage is going with my first cup of Joe in the morning. On the weekends I enjoy drinking a pot of coffee and a great banana shake. I would be hard pressed to say I don't eat or drink coffee during the week!

There has been some speculation that certain types of coffee may aid in weight loss. Some studies have been done that suggest that certain types of high-phenol coffee may help. In one study the phenol content of the coffee increased body fat reduction by almost 10%. However, no studies have been done on long term exposure.

Other studies seem to suggest that there are negative effects from drinking coffee. In one study, male mice were given large doses of caffeine and obesity was exacerbated. The same was true for female mice. This was not due to the artherosides, but because of the caffeine. This is probably why the European Commission, the European Union has banned the use of caffeine in foods and beverages.

In an interesting twist of events, another group of researchers claimed that consuming certain types of coffee may cause certain types of kidney failure. This study was performed at the Harvard Medical School. The group that did the research had two groups. One group drank a cup of coffee daily and the other didn't. Those that drank the coffee saw their glutathione levels skyrocket and their glutathione became ineffective.

The one group that did not drink coffee, saw their glutathione levels spike with high-phenol coffee. The high-phenol coffee apparently allowed the body to use its antioxidants more effectively and the antioxidants helped repair damaged cells. This finding is similar to the one the researchers at the University of Reading performed. They also performed a separate study where people who did a daily high-phenol coffee cleanse reported having less signs of fatigue.

There are many ways to get the antioxidants you need. You can look for the words "coffee" and "plumeria" on the package of your morning cup of Joe or brew yourself a cup of "coffee flavored" granulated caffeine free from ganoderma or not trees. If you have yet to try one of these antioxidant-laden beverages, try this recipe for a thick, rich cup of Greek yogurt topped with a dash of cinnamon and a healthy measure of dark chocolate. All of the ingredients can be found in a local health food store. If you're worried about adding sugar, don't.

To make the coffee beverage, stir together 2 cups of low fat plain gourmet coffee, 1 tablespoon of vanilla, a quarter teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, a quarter teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and two to three tablespoons of unsweetened, Greek yogurt. Stir and pour over your cup. Drink while it is still hot. It should be around room temperature. This cup of gourmet coffee will provide you with what you need to get through your diet when combined with a nutritious, sensible diet plan and regular exercise.

If you're wondering does coffee help you lose weight, think again. While it may give you a boost and keep you going until lunch, it does not have the desired effect on weight loss. In addition, it can dehydrate you. Gorging on it can cause water retention and leave you hungry for more. Also, it is not known whether it has an effect on blood pressure or cholesterol and it certainly has none! To lose weight, do the healthy things that you know you should and combine them with a healthy, quality beverage that will give you the kick you need in the morning and keep you satisfied until dinner.