Does coffee help you lose weight? Stunt your growth? Here’s the truth behind coffee myths
Coffee, oh coffee. The beverage you reach for first thing in the morning, the cure for midday sleepiness, and the answer to your all-nighter.
But what about all the typical coffee misconceptions we’ve heard? Is it possible to lose weight over time by drinking it? Is it true that consuming coffee reduces our life expectancy? Is it really so bad for you? Is it true that if we choose a darker roast at the coffee shop, we’ll get more caffeine?
USA TODAY consulted with experts to help solve some of the mysteries behind one of the world’s most popular beverages.
Coffee consumption contributes to weight reduction.
Caffeine is a stimulant that boosts metabolism in the body, according to Katherine Zeratsky, a certified dietitian at Mayo Clinic. Caffeine alone, she claims, does not help to long-term weight loss because there are other things to consider, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.
“Caffeine can raise your basal metabolic rate, but it only accounts for a tiny portion of what happens with how we burn calories,” Zeratsky told USA TODAY. “It’s probably not going to be large enough to see the weight loss that most people want to see.”
While there isn’t conclusive evidence linking caffeine to weight gain, Zeratsky says there are a few hypotheses on how caffeine may impact weight gain. Caffeine may decrease appetite and lessen sensations of hunger, according to one idea.
