Trying to lose weight can be incredibly stressful, but coffee can help!
The right coffee can support your weight loss journey by boosting your metabolism and providing a low-calorie beverage option.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the best coffee options to help you stay on track with your weight loss goals. We also explore exactly how coffee can help you lose weight when combined with a regimented weight-loss program.
Let’s dive right in and explore our top picks for a weight-loss-friendly coffee experience.
Top Coffee Recommendations For Cutting Weight:
- 4-in-1 Coconut Instant Coffee — A delicious blend of creamy coconut, sweet monk fruit, and a dash of Vietnamese magic with no added sugar.
- BanMe — A peaberry robusta blend that increases your metabolic rate and helps you burn more calories throughout the day.
- HaNoi — A 100% robusta brew that boosts your metabolism and helps your body break down fat.
- SaiGon OG — A powerful blend of robusta, arabica, and peaberry coffee beans for the ultimate weight loss tool.
What Makes Coffee Effective for Weight Loss?
From high caffeine content to powerful antioxidants, there are many factors that make coffee a great tool for weight loss.
Here are some of its biggest benefits:
Increase Metabolism & Digestion
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it kickstarts your digestive system and speeds up your metabolic process. It also sends a signal to your nervous system, telling it to break down fat more efficiently [10]. Both of these triggers can help you lose weight.
Blood Sugar Regulation
Weight loss isn’t just about losing fat. You need to regulate your blood sugar and look after your cardiovascular health to maintain your lower weight in the long term. The compounds and antioxidants, like chlorogenic acid and polyphenols, in coffee can help you do this [11].
Green coffee extract contains high levels of chlorogenic acid and moderate levels of caffeine. Both of these can contribute to weight loss by helping you regulate your blood sugar [14].
Having a stable blood sugar level can help you feel less hungry throughout the day and stop you from mindlessly snacking. This can help greatly with your weight loss efforts.
Synergistic Effects With Other Weightloss Supplements
If you’re looking for an extra boost in your weight loss journey, consider adding supplements like green coffee extract or medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil to your diet [12]. MCT oil is naturally present in coffee, but additional MCT oil supplements can help you feel fuller for longer and give you more energy to exercise, helping you achieve your weight loss goals [13].
How to Incorporate Coffee into a Weight Loss Diet
Incorporating coffee into your weight loss plan is surprisingly easy. Here are the best tips and tricks to get you started today:
- Have a cup of coffee first thing in the morning before breakfast for a powerful metabolism boost.
- Enjoy your coffee black — avoid high-calorie extras like cream, sugar, and syrup.
- Take advantage of the energy coffee gives you and exercise regularly.
- Drink coffee as part of a balanced diet, so you've got all the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Weight Loss Coffees
The type of coffee you drink also has an impact on weight loss. For the best results, try switching your typical brew to one of the following:
- Espresso — Short, sharp, and packed with caffeine. Great for kickstarting your metabolism and removing all high-calorie additions.
- Drip coffee — Enjoy black for a low-calorie option that will leave you feeling fuller for longer.
- Green coffee — This grassy, low-caffeine coffee contains high levels of antioxidants which can support weight loss.
- Iced Americano — This refreshing coffee provides an energizing caffeine kick and a boost of hydration from the ice.
Caffeine Content
One of the key reasons coffee is good for weight loss is because of its high caffeine content. Caffeine has been scientifically proven to boost your metabolic activity and enhance fat burning. This is because it triggers your nervous system and turbocharges the fat-burning process [15].
Robusta beans generally have more caffeine than arabica beans, making them a better option for weight loss.
Cafely’s strongest coffee is its BanMe variety. It’s made of 100% robusta beans and contains 120-150 mg of caffeine per cup.
Best Coffee Bean Types For Weight Loss
Although there are around 120 different types of coffee beans, arabica and robusta are the most common ones you'll find in coffee shops and grocery stores. Each type of coffee bean has its own health benefits and can potentially affect your metabolism and fat-burning abilities in a different way.
Arabica Beans
Arabica beans contain lower levels of caffeine than robusta beans [8]. This moderate caffeine content can help boost your metabolism and energy levels without causing unwanted jitters. It's a great choice if you want to use coffee to help you lose weight, but you're not used to high caffeine levels.
Robusta Beans
Robusta beans contain higher levels of caffeine than arabica beans. This increased caffeine content can boost your metabolic rate and promote better fat burning, potentially resulting in greater weight loss results.
Robusta beans also have higher levels of chlorogenic acid, a powerful antioxidant that has also been linked to weight loss [9].
For the best of both worlds, opt for a robusta and arabica blend, like our SaiGon OG. This way, you enjoy all the potential health benefits of robusta coffee and the smooth, rich flavor of arabica beans.
Best Roast Level For Weight Loss
When you’re choosing the best coffee for weight loss, consider going for a light to medium roast like our DaNang blend. Lighter roasts typically contain more antioxidants than darker roasts, helping you on your weight loss journey [4].
There have been a ton of studies on the effects of green coffee on weight loss [5]. This unroasted version of the coffee bean has increased amounts of chlorogenic acid, which has been proven to improve cardiovascular health, including blood pressure and inflammation [6].
Lighter roasts also contain higher caffeine levels than darker roasts [7]. The increased caffeine levels can help boost your metabolism, aiding with weight loss.
Green coffee doesn't taste the same as regular coffee and it isn't to everyone's taste. It's grassy and tastes more like matcha or herbal tea than traditional coffee.
If making the switch from your current roast to green coffee is too much of a leap, opt for a light or medium roast instead. This way, you still benefit from increased levels of chlorogenic acid which can boost your metabolism, without compromising on flavor.
Coffee Origins & Weight Loss
Another major factor that can impact the weight loss properties of coffee is the origin. Studies show that coffee grown at high altitudes has increased amounts of chlorogenic acid, which can improve your cardiovascular health and blood sugar [10].
This could be because the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes force coffee beans to grow at slower rates than in other locations. This causes the chlorogenic acid levels to become more condensed, resulting in a greater potential for weight loss.
One region that does this best is the hill country of Vietnam, where Cafely sources all of its beans. The high altitudes and cloud cover allow the beans to develop slowly. This results in a high-quality coffee bean that is full of flavor and health-supporting compounds.
Best Coffee Grind Size For Weight Loss
While you might not realize it, the grind size of your coffee impacts how the caffeine works with your metabolism and your overall enjoyment of your brew.
Studies show that a smaller grind size and a longer brew may produce more antioxidants than other grinds and brewing methods [2]. This, together with the caffeine content of coffee, can help support and boost your metabolism, resulting in weight loss.
The finer the grind size, the higher the compound level and the deeper the flavor of the coffee. These compounds include caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and other lipids that may help to speed up your metabolism [3].
The more of these compounds you can get in your coffee (without over-extracting the brew), the more beneficial it’s likely to be for weight loss.
For the best-flavored coffee and the greatest weight loss potential, buy whole coffee beans and grind them at home. The flavors, compounds, and potential health benefits begin to deteriorate as soon as the coffee is ground, so always grind your own at the last minute.
Frequently Asked Questions: Coffee For Weightloss
With everything you now know about coffee and weight loss, you're well on your way to achieving your goal! Let’s finish things off with some frequently asked questions.
1. How much weight can I expect to lose by drinking weight-loss coffee?
The amount of weight you can expect to lose by drinking weight-loss coffee varies from person to person. If you don’t make any other changes, weight loss is going to be minimal. Studies show that one cup of coffee each day was associated with a loss of just 0.12 kg over four years [16].
Remember, you need to be careful with high-calorie extras like syrups and cream, or you could gain weight instead.
2. Can I drink weight-loss coffee if I have high blood pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, you should consult with a healthcare provider before drinking weight-loss coffee. Its high caffeine content could negatively impact your condition.
3. Is weight-loss coffee safe for everyone?
Weight-loss coffee is not safe for everyone. If you have cardiovascular or high blood pressure issues, you need to consult your doctor, as caffeine can impact your medication and overall health.
Weight-loss coffee is not recommended for people with anxiety as the increased stimulation can worsen symptoms. Children and teenagers should also avoid drinking weight-loss coffee as it can impact development and sleep patterns.
4. How often should I drink weight-loss coffee to see results?
Realistically, you should drink a maximum of four cups of black drip coffee per day to see weight loss results. Any more than that, and you'll be going over the recommended 400 mg of caffeine per day, which can have health risks.
5. Can weight-loss coffee replace a meal?
No, weight-loss coffee should not replace a meal. Black coffee doesn’t contain the vitamins and nutrients necessary for your body’s healthy functioning. To lose weight and keep it off, you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise. Coffee should complement meals, not replace them.
6. Does weight-loss coffee work without exercise?
Weight loss coffee on its own won't have much of an impact on your weight. Coffee can speed up the fat-burning process, but for the best results, you need to combine it with regular exercise.
7. What is the best time to drink weight-loss coffee?
The best time to drink weight-loss coffee is in the morning before you have your breakfast. This speeds up your metabolism first thing in the morning, helping you burn additional calories for hours.
8. Are there vegan options for weight-loss coffee?
Yes, all our Vietnamese whole beans and ground coffee are vegan and promote weight loss. We’ve even got a recipe for a rich and creamy plant-based Vietnamese coffee.
9. How does the taste of weight-loss coffee compare to regular coffee?
The taste of weight-loss coffee depends on the type you’re having. Black robusta coffee is likely to be more intense and bitter than your usual arabica brew, while green coffee will taste more grassy and herbal than regular coffee.
10. Where can I buy weight-loss coffee?
You can buy weight-loss coffee at most health food stores and some grocery stores. Alternatively, you can go directly to the suppliers like Cafely for a greater choice of specialty weight-loss coffee.
References
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- Yu, J. M., Chu, M., Park, H., Park, J., & Lee, K. G. (2021). Analysis of Volatile Compounds in Coffee Prepared by Various Brewing and Roasting Methods. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 10(6), 1347.
- Sudeep, H. V., & Shyam Prasad, K. (2021). Supplementation of green coffee bean extract in healthy overweight subjects increases lean mass/fat mass ratio: A randomized, double-blind clinical study. SAGE open medicine, 9, 20503121211002590.
- Bobková, A., Hudáček, M., Jakabová, S., Belej, Ľ., Capcarová, M., Čurlej, J., Bobko, M., Árvay, J., Jakab, I., Čapla, J., & Demianová, A. (2020). The effect of roasting on the total polyphenols and antioxidant activity of coffee. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes, 55(5), 495–500.
- Tajik, N., Tajik, M., Mack, I., & Enck, P. (2017). The potential effects of chlorogenic acid, the main phenolic components in coffee, on health: a comprehensive review of the literature. European journal of nutrition, 56(7), 2215–2244.
- Martins, P. M. M., Batista, N. N., Miguel, M. G. D. C. P., Simão, J. B. P., Soares, J. R., & Schwan, R. F. (2020). Coffee's growing altitude influences the microbiota, chemical compounds, and the quality of fermented coffees. Food Research International (Ottawa, Ont.), 129, 108872.
- Herawati, D., Giriwono, P. E., Dewi, F. N. A., Kashiwagi, T., & Andarwulan, N. (2018). The critical roasting level determines the bioactive content and antioxidant activity of Robusta coffee beans. Food science and biotechnology, 28(1), 7–14.
- Olechno, E., Puścion-Jakubik, A., Zujko, M. E., & Socha, K. (2021). Influence of Various Factors on Caffeine Content in Coffee Brews. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 10(6), 1208.
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