Healthy living has arguably never been more important, and while we all love to indulge (and frankly deserve it), there are huge benefits to balancing treating ourselves with diet and exercise.
This may not necessarily seem like new information, but the evidence behind how coffee can play a role in helping us achieve the required balance is.
Coffee contains caffeine, which is included in most commercial fat-burning supplements. This is no coincidence, as caffeine is one of the few substances known to help mobilise fats from fat tissues and increase your metabolic rate. Let's take a moment to look at some of the stimulants present in coffee:
- Caffeine: The most prevalent stimulant in coffee.
- Theobromine: Predominantly found in cocoa, but smaller amounts are also found in coffee.
- Theophylline: Found in both cocoa and coffee.
- Chlorogenic acid: Present in coffee, which may help slow the absorption of carbs.
These naturally occurring stimulants all play a part in the process, however the most important is caffeine which blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine, in turn, boosting your energy and making you feel more awake.
Not only do the effects of drinking coffee wake our senses, it also stimulates the nervous system. This happens as the caffeine increases our adrenaline levels which travel through your blood to the fat tissues. This signals our body to break down fats and release them into your blood.
While of course this releases fatty acids, it doesn't shed the fat unless you are burning more calories than you consume through diet or increased exercise. However, your metabolic rate will be increased meaning it will be easier for you to lose weight, shed belly fat and eat more without gaining weight.
Let's not get carried away though! While the science behind what goes into your cup of coffee stimulates your adrenaline levels and metabolism, the takeaway here is that it should be used as an aid alongside exercise and healthy living to lose weight.
It's worth bearing in mind that these effects will be diminished with the more coffee you drink, as you will naturally increase tolerance to caffeine with regular consumption. Therefore, we recommend cycles of two weeks on, two weeks off if you are actively including caffeine as part of a weight loss program.
Never the less, we think the best reason to enjoy a cup of coffee is for its beautiful flavour and aroma. So, if you're looking for all of these health benefits in a delicious cup of coffee, we recommend Leonardo! A 60% Arabica / 40% Robusta blend with a full bodied, pronounced roast flavour with notes of roasted nut and an ample caffeine kick!
