Decaf or regular coffee: which is better to lose weight?

Many of us have been hearing that caffeine can help you lose fat. But does it really boost your metabolism or help you lose weight? also what about decaf coffee? is it better than regular when it comes to shedding pounds? read on to find the answer 

Table of Contents

Can coffee help you lose weight?

The answer is yes, although there are no solid studies about the connection between coffee, caffeine, and weight loss. some theories say that coffee can help weight loss in two ways: 

1. Coffee can suppress your appetite

caffeine stimulates the hormone serotonin — a neurotransmitter in the brain that acts like a “feel-good” chemical. Serotonin triggers the sensation of feeling full so the more caffeine you drink, the less hungry you’ll feel.

2. Caffeine can burn more calories

The main components found in coffee are caffeine and chlorogenic acid. Both are extremely powerful stimulants and can easily make people feel jumpy and jittery.

Caffeine is a stimulant that enhances your metabolic activity and boosts your energy levels. It contains the substance adenosine, which helps to break down fats and convert them into energy by triggering an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Caffeine also raises adrenaline and noradrenaline levels so that you feel more alert and energized. It contains nutrients such as niacin, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants which improve digestive health and promote weight loss.

decaf or regular coffee: which is better for weight loss?

Regular coffee may be better than decaf as it has more caffeine content. 

When you’re trying to lose weight, how much of caffeine intake you are ingesting matters most. 

Yes, not all decaffeinated coffee contains the same amounts of caffeine. Some of them contain no caffeine at all and others still contain small amounts (about 25-30 milligrams) of caffeine per 8 ounces of brewed coffee. The amount of caffeine content could vary from one cup of coffee to another depending on the decaf product, decaffeination process, and coffee beans. 

Yet, decaf coffee still has much lower caffeine than regular brew, some brands that use the swiss water decaf process are up to 99.9% caffeine-free. 

To put this into perspective, drinking a cup of regular coffee with 150-200 calories will give you around 20-40mg of caffeine which has been shown to boost metabolism by 100 Calories burned in an hour.

However, if you are consuming decaf coffee, then it may only contain 3-5mg of caffeine – enough to keep you awake during the workday but not enough to cause fat loss!

Another study recently published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that those who drank just one cup of instant coffee three times per day were able to lose more belly fat than those who drank more decaffeinated coffee. The researchers suggest that this was due to the high antioxidant content of the unprocessed coffee.

Regular Coffee has disadvantages too!

Keep in mind that caffeine can lead to a number of health problems such as heart palpitations, headaches, rapid heartbeat, tremors, jitteriness, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, it may also cause addiction if used in large quantities. Therefore, it is important to know how much caffeine intake is good for any person.

It’s not recommended for people with high blood pressure or those who have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Should you drink decaf coffee?

Well, as we have already mentioned, decaffeinated coffee may not be good for losing weight but if you’re looking to burn some calories, it definitely doesn’t hurt.

Besides, there are countless other reasons to drink decaffeinated coffee, including

1. It can help with your heartburn and acid reflux 

2. It may prevent type 2 diabetes

3. It reduces anxiety and stress

4. It can improve your mood

Deep dive: Benefits and side effects of Decaf Coffee: Should YOU Switch to Decaf

Is Decaf Coffee Keto Friendly?

Yes, it is Keto diet-friendly. Both Decaf and regular coffee helps to reduce carbohydrates and fat intake. This reduction in carbohydrates shifts your metabolism into a metabolic state called ketosis, and your body begins burning fat into ketones in the liver, which can then provide fuel for your brain. The same is the goal of a keto diet that is why decaf coffee is a perfect drink to be consumed in a keto diet.

calories in decaf coffee

Well, if we talk about the calorie content of a decaf coffee, it is almost equal to zero. however, calories are determined by the types and amount of ingredients and additives like sugar, chocolate, cream, and milk you add to your coffee.

Depending on your taste in coffee and how much you consume each day, calorie consumption will vary. Here’s a table with the calorie content of coffee products

Drink Calories per 1 mug (8 fl oz)
Decaf coffee 0 calories 
Coffee ( brewed from grounds) 2 calories 
Instant coffee ( made from powdered) 5 calories
Coffee with Cream 35 calories 
Coffee with Cream  and sugar 67 calories 
Coffee with milk and sugar 41 calories 
cappuccino 74 calories 
decaffinated cappuccino 74 calories 
Espresso coffee5 calories 
Iced Espresso 100 calories in 1 bottle of Caribou Coffee Iced Espresso.
decaf latte 131 calories in 1 medium 
Chocolate mocha iced coffee 150 calories 
Macchiatos60 calories
Mocha Cold Brew Coffee with Almond Milk90 calories 

source: fatsecret.com

Decaf Coffee Recipes For Weight-Loss

Follow the following steps to make a Decaf coffee:

  1. Add all the contents of any decaf coffee to a blender and blend it for 30 seconds.
  2. Now, transfer all the contents into a mug.
  3. Pour some hot water into a mug and enjoy your coffee.

Following are some forms of Decaf coffee that can be used to reduce extra fat:

  1. Simple black coffee such as espresso, Americano, and iced coffee, contains zero calories and carbs.
  2. Lattes
  3. Coffee with cream, not milk.
  4. Decaf coffee with coconut milk and natural sweeteners

Conclusion

Regular coffee might raise your heart rate and give you an adrenaline rush, but it’s not necessarily bad for your waistline. Some caffeine naturally found in tea, cocoa, and green vegetables can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost metabolism. On the other hand, drinking a lot of coffee can increase your risk of high blood pressure and stroke. It can lead to an overstimulated brain, heartburn, vomiting, etc. 

Therefore, giving up on your morning cup of coffee is not a solution that is why decaf coffee is a saviour and will help you get rid of unwanted pounds. Although decaf does not contain caffeine, a small amount of caffeine remains after the water and oil are removed so, you can have a cup of decaf coffee to get rid of extra pounds as well unnecessary heartburn. While some people may feel an initial jolt when they drink decaf, those with higher intakes don’t appear to show increased levels of anxiety or increased heart rates, compared to regular caffeine drinkers.

Related posts:
1. Can you drink decaf coffee on the candida diet?
2. Does decaf coffee cause cellulite?