Weight loss hack: Is coffee the cheapest fat burner?

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• Jan 13, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

 He goes on to say that instead of spending money on pricey fat-burning drugs, all one needs to do to lose weight is drink coffee.

Digital Desk: Coffee is one of the most popular drinks. It is not surprising, then, that many individuals enjoy starting their day with a steaming cup of Joe. But did you know that, aside from its delicious flavour and aroma, coffee has a slew of health benefits, including weight loss? According to an Instagram post by dietician Mac Singh, coffee is also the "cheapest fat burner" and the ideal pre-workout drink. He goes on to say that instead of spending money on pricey fat-burning drugs, all one needs to do to lose weight is drink coffee. That is because "most of the fat burners in the market contain caffeine as the major component, which is also the same for coffee," notes Mac, adding that caffeine is a natural element that "aids fat burning and improves your metabolic rate by 3-11 percent". Is this true? 

Let us seek advice from specialists.

"Coffee is a low-calorie beverage with no fat, sugar, or carbs. It helps us lose weight by influencing our metabolism," Rajeswari V Shetty, Head of Department -Dietetics, SL. Raheja Hospital, Mahim, told indianexpress.com. While coffee "lowers appetite and reduces calorie intake," its caffeine concentration "increases the resting metabolic rate, resulting in weight loss," she added. She further stressed that consuming coffee an hour before a workout “can improve endurance and increase the intensity of your exercise. It also induces dopamine secretion, making one burn more calories”.

But the brew is helpful for more than just weight loss, according to Singh, since it has been proved to increase brain function such as "memory, mood, and reaction time." On Instagram, he further added that coffee also contains critical nutrients like vitamins B2, B5, B3 and minerals like manganese and potassium, and may also help "defend you against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver illness, including liver cancer".

Things to keep in mind while taking coffee

You could be tempted to go for a cup of coffee because of its vast list of advantages and ease of access. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to gain the benefits of this beverage. "People frequently add sugar, cream, syrup, or other ingredients to their coffee. These are never going to be excellent. Have your coffee without sugar/syrups," recommended Mac, while stressing that eating more than 2-3 cups of coffee a day can "lead to some heart problems. People with hypertension should avoid it".