Caffeine

R

rcook

Cathlete
I heard this week on TV that caffeine causes fat storage. This isn't good. No wonder when some of my friends went on a strict diet some yrs ago, caffeine was one of the things they had to let go. Has anyone else heard this? ....... Rhonda
 
I've heard the same thing, from many quarters, and IMHO it's a big pile of horse hockey. I have two very strong cups of caffeinated java every morning (and an extra shot of espresso on Fridays), and I take a size zero in a skirt, which has been the case for over five years.

A-Jock
 
There is conflicting medical evidence that caffeine interfers with proper insulin production, which in turn can cause your body to store more carbs as fat. But, the evidence is contradictory and not conclusive. I admit I am a caffeine junkie. I did give it up two times in my adult life. One was when I was pregnant with Nik, and the other was when I was doing Atkins last summer. Both times, giving it up had no effect on my weight gain or loss. And now, having recently lost 40 pounds since the end of April, dropped nearly 7 sizes in that time, and having lost a total of nearly 60 pounds since last July, I think I can safely say my caffeine intake does not appear to be affecting my weight loss or fitness goals. Most "diets" will tell you to give up caffeine because caffeine is a diuretic, and it causes you to lose extra water. However, this is not good, because if you aren't careful to compensate by then drinking extra water, you can become dehyrated. Becoming dehyrated will not promote efficient weight loss. When I drink a cup of coffee, I compensate by drinking more water. This seems to work well for me, but everyone is different. Some people are also more sensitive to caffeine than others. As with most things in the dieting and exercise world, it's best to do what works well for you and your body.

Carol
:)
 
Professional cyclists are additional evidence that Aquajock's assessment is on point (again).

Rhonda, some diets & nutritionists recommend that people limit caffeine to control the roller coaster affect that caffeine does to their energy levels. That it triggers fat storage is a new one.

In the interest of full disclosure: I'm sipping my a.m. java fix, a non-fat latte & I'm not a size zero.

Debra
 
I come from a long line of coffee drinkers. I was a caffeine addict since college, and until I got pregnant with my son at age 30. I quit the coffee when I got pregnant and while I was breastfeeding. After that I went back to caffeine but not as much as before. All these years I have never gone beyond a size 4. And my relatives who gave me this caffeine-loving gene were far from overweight.

Pinky
 
Caffeine for the most part, raises your metabolism. So I would think it would help burn calories...
Trevor
 
Just want to mention that although caffeinated beverages are calorie freebies, most people feel a need to drown them in milky/sugary/flavory goo, which I'm certain "causes people to store fat".
 
I am now a decaf drinker. I did atkins this past summer and gave up the lattes. I do not know about the fat storage, but all I know is I feel much better throughout the day....no energy highs and lows. I had a serious problem. I had to have a double latte just to open my eyes and drive into work, the second came at 9, along with at least 2 diet cokes during the day. I was nothing but a huge rollercoaster. I had NO caffeine for at least five months, but I have gone back to a regular black tea in the morning, along with some green tea, and since the yummy gingerbread latte is back at Starbucks, a half and half latte for a treat. Thankfully, I am not "craving" coffee...Donna.
 
I am caffeine free and a size 0 also! :p

To be fair, I've always been small, whether I drink caffeine or not. I decided when I got pregnant with my son 17 years ago to quit caffeine and I've stayed off of it ever since. I have no idea whether it relates to fat storage or not.
 
Ok.. not a size 0 but depending on clotes I'm a 2, 3, at most 4 Petite, and DEFINETELY have my 2-3 cups of coffee every day.

Like others I quit when I was pregnant with my kids and about 10 years ago I wanted to see how far I could go with low fat and gave up coffee (because of the milk/cream). To me it is a quality of life thing life without coffee isnt the same.

So sounds like at least for us doesn't seem to be a big factor
 
Wow Carol!

I think it's phenominal (sp) the weight loss you've experienced! How did you do it?

Tricia
 
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