Weight-Loss What's the 'skinny' on Caffeine?

[Romans5.8]

I've been reading conflicting information. Before I began losing, my crutch was sweet tea. I LOVE sweet tea. Funny thing about taste buds though, is that within a couple of days of switching to unsweetened iced tea, (It's that or water, I don't drink any sodas or anything), I've gotten pretty used to it and pretty well prefer it (I guess, haven't had sweet tea in months). But I don't drink decaf tea, or decaf coffee (though I don't drink a LOT of coffee, maybe a cup or two a week?)

Some reports are saying that caffeine boosts the metabolism, but probably not enough to really induce weight loss. But that would at least mean it's not detrimental to weight loss, right? So then there's another that said people who consume 5 or more cups of coffee a day are heavier. But there was little information. How did they prepare their coffee? I drink my coffee black and don't put anything in my tea. Coffee and tea have no calories. Is the caffeine the culprit, or is the milk, sugar, honey, etc., that people put in their coffee the culprit?

Just wondered if anyone had some good, empirical data on how caffeine affects (or does not affect) weight loss. I am NOT talking about enormous amounts of caffeine, like energy drinks, caffeine pills, or anything else like that. I'm talking about; lets say worst case scenario, 2 cups of coffee in the morning at 5-7 glasses of tea throughout the day. And I know that's a lot but that would probably be the 'most'. Generally I drink 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning (IF I drink coffee in the morning, as said before I only do about once a week really), water all day (lots of it!), and with dinner (we eat early and workout after) 2-3 glasses of tea.

Thoughts?



Thanks!



John

 

[AthalaRanger]

Funnily enough, I didn't drank much tea until I switched to unsweetened, plain tea. Now it's really hard to avoid it completely...


If I remember correctly, the effect of coffee on metabolism is minimal. I wouldn't know if it affects weight loss, but as you said, that could be attributable to the additives people put on their tea/coffee.

I would say that it shouldn't affect your weight loss, but that would be an assumption, since I don't know much about the subject.

 

[San2]

The problem with tea/coffee is that they both have a diuretic effect, which will make you retain water. In moderation (2 - 3 cups, I think) it's good, but everything over that might be pushing it a little. have you tried to switch to maybe green tea, or Rooibos? Niether has caffeeine, so they might be valid alternatives.

 

[robsanders]

The problem with tea/coffee is that they both have a diuretic effect, which will make you retain water. In moderation (2 - 3 cups, I think) it's good, but everything over that might be pushing it a little.

I almost cried reading this comment.

I love my coffee and unfortunately average 2 short blacks (morning, late afternoon) and 2 reg coffees during the day. Giving them up would not be the end of the world nit would be one step closer for me

 

[robsanders]

The problem with tea/coffee is that they both have a diuretic effect, which will make you retain water. In moderation (2 - 3 cups, I think) it's good, but everything over that might be pushing it a little.

I almost cried reading this comment.

I love my coffee and unfortunately average 2 short blacks (morning, late afternoon) and 2 reg coffees during the day. Giving them up would not be the end of the world but would be one step closer for me

 

[San2]

I almost cried reading this comment.

I love my coffee and unfortunately average 2 short blacks (morning, late afternoon) and 2 reg coffees during the day. Giving them up would not be the end of the world but would be one step closer for me

Well, I have three coffees per day as well. I just try to even it out with plenty of water, to combat water retention. You'd need a lot more than what you are drinking to reach a harmful level of caffeine. Also, your body will let you know if you're having too much - insomnia, the 'jitters', stomach problems and so on can all be a sign of too much caffeine. As long as none of that is happening, and you make sure to drink enough water (or similar), I'm pretty sure you'll be fine. Apocalypse averted.

 

[Romans5.8]

Well there's decaff black tea and coffee. I don't mind green tea but I definitely prefer black tea. Plus it's much cheaper.

I do drink a lot of water and, at this stage, I guess I'm not THAT worried about water retention. My goal is to burn fat and build muscle. If Caffeine won't get in the way of that then I think I'll be okay.

 

[San2]

Prices aren't much different here, rooibos is usually the cheapest, but it's a different taste, so not everybody's 'cup of tea', pardon the pun.

Tea contains less caffeine, unless you leave it to stand for half an hour or something, and as long as you're okay with it, that's all that matters. It definitely shouldn't get in the way of fat loss.