The coffee diet - a new phenomenon that tempts you to shed pounds fast
Popular diet plan...
The coffee diet is a relatively new diet plan, but it is quickly gaining popularity. It involves the compulsory consumption of several cups of coffee a day, but at the same time, you also need to limit your daily calorie intake (so forget the coffee cake). So what exactly does a coffee diet look like and what are its pros and cons?
The coffee diet was popularized by a book called The Coffee Lover's Diet by Dr. Rob Arnot. In it, he claims that drinking coffee several times a day increases the body's metabolic functions, leads to higher fat burning, blocks the absorption of calories and also reduces appetite. Dr. Arnot drew inspiration from the experience of the population of the small Greek island of Ikaria, which is inhabited by a large population of healthy elderly people. After conducting research in the area, Arnot concluded that the health and longevity of these Greeks is a result of their high consumption of antioxidant-rich coffee.
How does it work?
The coffee diet plan involves drinking a minimum of 3 cups of light roast (i.e. light brown beans) coffee per day (720 ml). It is important to choose truly light roast coffee as it is richer in polyphenolic antioxidants. Dr. Arnot himself places special emphasis on the type of coffee and the way it is prepared. He recommends buying whole beans, grinding them at home and preparing the coffee using filtered water. It is also important to add that it does not matter whether the coffee contains caffeine or not - you can drink as much as you like (only the minimum limit of three cups applies). But forget the cream/milk and sugar.
In addition to consuming coffee, Dr. Arnot recommends replacing one meal a day with a fiber-rich, homemade smoothie. Similarly, the diet should include legumes, vegetables, fruits, and conversely, the intake of fats should be reduced, as well as foods such as frozen food or various pre-made snacks, etc. Ideally, a person on a "coffee diet" should consume no more than 1,500 calories per day (which is probably less than the average person actually consumes, of course).
Facts, facts, facts
The truth is that coffee is actually rich in antioxidants - polyphenols, which have many proven health benefits - eliminating inflammation in the body as well as free radical damage. At the same time, coffee can really reduce appetite (especially if you drink it just before a meal) and also "kick-start" your metabolism.
The other side of the coin
Although some of the weight loss benefits of coffee consumption are undeniable, the coffee diet has its downsides. First of all - although decaffeinated coffee can be drunk, most people prefer the caffeinated variant. But then there is the risk of excessive caffeine intake, which is not good for the body (e.g. causes high blood pressure).
As coffee is a diuretic, it is clear that this will result in more frequent visits to the toilet, and there is also a risk that important electrolytes, including potassium, will be excreted from the body. The fact that excessive coffee consumption affects insomnia perhaps goes without saying.
Although the coffee diet has been shown to have an effect on weight loss, the results are rather short-lived - the reduction in calorie intake can lead to the body adapting to the situation and the metabolism slowing down. In addition, there is usually a yo-yo effect on the pounds lost. According to experts, long-term adherence to a coffee diet is thus rather harmful (although people usually stick to it for 5-7 weeks). And considering that so far only short-term results have been documented and there is no research to prove the safety of the coffee diet in the longer term, it's better to only indulge in coffee at the times and in the amounts you're used to.
