Showing posts with label caffeine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caffeine. Show all posts

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

The Weight Loss Benefits of Green Coffee Bean

Green coffee bean extract, produced from the green beans of the Arabica plant, is a relatively new ingredient to weight loss products that has been getting strong attention; even being featured on the Dr. Oz program. This attention is not unfounded, green coffee bean extract has a number of health benefits, in particular as a weight loss aid.


How Does Green Coffee Bean Work?

Green coffee bean contains polyphenols, including chlorogenic acids, which, like grape seed extract and green tea, have antioxidant that help the body neutralize harmful free radicals. Research has also shown that the chlorogenic acid in green coffee bean has an antihypertensive effect on rats and humans that promotes normal blood pressure [1-3].
Unlike coffee beverages, green coffee bean extract is low in caffeine and is not a stimulant. Chlorogenic acids are also destroyed when coffee beans are roasted and their benefits are not available in coffee drinks.
Chlorogenic acids support the weight loss benefits of green coffee bean in a couple different ways. First, promote balanced blood sugar by inhibiting the release of glucose within the body. Secondly, chlorogenic acids boost the metabolic output of the liver, which burns more fat. This dual mechanism works to support lean body mass by hindering the absorption of fat and weight gain.

Research Indicates Weight Loss Benefits of Green Coffee Bean

In 2006, a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine examined the inhibition of fat accumulation and weight gain in mice that were given green coffee bean extract. Researchers noted that the mice had reduced visceral fat content and body weight. It was concluded that green coffee bean extract may be effective against weight gain and fat accumulation by preventing fat absorption and activating fat metabolism in the liver [4].
In 2011, Gastroenterology Research and Practice published a meta-analysis of 5 studies, which had examined green coffee bean extract as a weight loss supplement. Although it was noted that more research was appropriate, it was also concluded that aggregate data showed a significant difference in body weight in the subjects of the studies who had supplemented with GCE, compared with placebo, and that evidence indicates that GCE can promote weight loss [5].
This conclusion was supported by an early 2012 study published in The Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity journal that followed a group of 16 adults who supplemented with green coffee bean for a period of 12 weeks, without making any dietary changes. The results were significantly astounding. During this time, subjects lost an average of 10.5% of overall body weight and 16% of overall body fat, without any reported negative side effects [6].
When it comes to losing weight, proper diet and exercise are paramount to success. However, research shows that adding a supplement like green coffee bean extract can increase weight loss potential, in addition to the antioxidant benefit. As with all supplements, for green coffee bean to be effective, it must be a pure, organic 100% high grade coffee bean extract supplement manufactured in the US with laboratory tests certifying the product’s potency and quality.




Source

References:

  1. Suzuki A, Kagawa D, Ochiai R, Tokimitsu I, Saito I. Green coffee bean extract and its metabolites have a hypotensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Hypertens Res. 2002 Jan;25(1):99-107.
  2. Ochiai R, Jokura H, Suzuki A, Tokimitsu I, Ohishi M, Komai N, Rakugi H, Ogihara T.Green coffee bean extract improves human vasoreactivity. Hypertens Res. 2004 Oct;27(10):731-7.
  3. Watanabe T, Arai Y, Mitsui Y, Kusaura T, Okawa W, Kajihara Y, Saito I. The blood pressure-lowering effect and safety of chlorogenic acid from green coffee bean extract in essential hypertension. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2006 Jul;28(5):439-49.
  4. Shimoda H, Seki E, Aitani M. Inhibitory effect of green coffee bean extract on fat accumulation and body weight gain in mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Mar 17;6:9.
  5. Onakpoya I, Terry R, Ernst E. The use of green coffee extract as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2011;2011. doi:pii: 382852. 10.1155/2011/382852. Epub 2010 Aug 31.
  6. Vinson JA, Burnham BR, Nagendran MV. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, linear dose, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012;5:21-7. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S27665. Epub 2012 Jan 18.

Saturday, 31 October 2015

Can You Lose Weight With Energy Drinks?

The energy-drink buzz might make you feel as though you're torching calories at warp speed, but these beverages are no quick fix for weight loss. In reality, the best way to lose weight is to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity -- something that no food or drink can do for you.



A Slight Kick

Energy drinks do provide a slight metabolic boost -- meaning they speed up calorie burning -- because they contain caffeine. The effect is minimal, however, and Columbia Health reports that caffeine from energy drinks may cause you to burn fewer than 100 extra calories per day. For perspective, you need to burn 3,500 more calories than you eat to lose 1 pound of body fat. Relying on energy drinks alone, you'd need well over a month to accomplish this.


Sugar Content

Any calorie-burning boost will diminish quickly if you consume sugar-sweetened energy drinks. One major brand of energy drink contains 116 calories per 8-ounce can, most of which come from sugar. Adding these to your diet may result in weight gain, not loss -- particularly if you don't compensate with increased physical activity.



Diet-Beverage Data

Sugar-free energy drinks may contain as few as 12 calories per 8-ounce can, but that still doesn't mean they'll help you lose weight. Diet beverages have links to weight gain, according to NPR, possibly because of the way your body responds to them. These drinks contain artificial sweeteners that trick your body into releasing natural sugar-processing hormones. Over time, you may start to release fewer of these hormones, which may affect your appetite as well as blood-sugar management.




Energy-Drink Safety

Energy drinks sometimes cause side effects, mainly due to high caffeine content. Caffeine can cause jitteriness, sleeplessness, heart palpitations and other adverse reactions, especially in high doses. Energy drinks typically contain 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce serving; moderate caffeine intake is set at 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day, according to MedlinePlus, so drinking more than two to three energy drinks daily isn't advisable. People who have low tolerance for caffeine may experience side effects from consuming just one energy drink.


Source
http://www.livestrong.com/article/372206-how-to-lose-weight-with-energy-drinks/

References

Friday, 30 October 2015

Does caffeine help with weight loss?

Caffeine may slightly boost weight loss or prevent weight gain, but there's no sound evidence that increased caffeine consumption results in significant or permanent weight loss.
Caffeine is found in many beverages, including coffee, tea, energy drinks and colas; in products containing cocoa or chocolate; and in a variety of medications and dietary supplements, including supplements aimed at weight loss.
Although research about the connection between caffeine and weight isn't definitive, there are a few theories about how caffeine might affect weight, including:
  • Appetite suppression. Caffeine may reduce your desire to eat for a brief time, but there's not enough evidence to show that long-term consumption aids weight loss.
  • Calorie burning. Caffeine may stimulate thermogenesis — one way your body generates heat and energy from digesting food. But this probably isn't enough to produce significant weight loss.


Some studies looking at caffeine and weight were poor quality or done on animals, making the results questionable or hard to generalize to humans. In addition, some studies found that even decaffeinated coffee may contribute to modest weight loss, suggesting that substances or factors besides caffeine may play a role in weight loss.
The bottom line: Be cautious about using caffeine products to help with weight loss. When used in moderation (400 milligrams or less) by healthy adults, caffeine is generally safe. But too much caffeine might cause nervousness, insomnia, nausea, increased blood pressure and other problems.
Also keep in mind that some caffeinated beverages, such as specialty coffees, are high in calories and fat. So instead of losing weight, you might actually gain weight if you drink too many of these.



Source
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/caffeine/faq-20058459

Thursday, 29 October 2015

Women using energy drinks to lose weight worries experts

"I honestly hate most energy drinks, they're all sugar and caffeine and can become addictive, from what I hear, but sometimes my energy is so low I have to have SOMETHING - but I don't want to eat, because that usually ends in a binge/purge."


This is the sad logic of one girl seeking advice about energy drinks to suppress her appetite on an anorexia forum. 

On a separate eating disorder forum, girls discuss ways to give their exhausted bodies a jolt of energy.

"Drink a lot of fluids and also even though they aren't good for you, i find that zero energy drinks are awesome for giving you a boost of fake energy," advises one user, while another reminds that filling up on fluids of any kind will help keep her full.
Workshopping ways to avoid eating or consuming calories is common among women trying to lose weight. 

The latest method -  using energy drinks to replace meals -has caught the attention of experts. And they are worried.

Associate Professor Ross King, of Deakin University first came across the trend during his work treating eating disorder patients as a psychologist.

This lead him to conduct a small study of 97 women with eating disorders which found  about  a third were using energy drinks instead of eating. 


"We know people with eating disorders do abuse caffeine, so this provides a new avenue for them to use energy drinks as a way of replacing meals and creating a sense of fullness,"  King told the ABC.

"Because they're physically compromised, I think that's raised a real concern about issues around energy drink abuse. It adds another risk factor to their physical health."

Previous studies have found those with eating disorders tend towards excessive consumption of caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and fluids.

One 2011 study from the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that individuals with eating disorders turn to energy drinks "as a means to increase energy levels and suppress appetite". This is despite the fact that "the medical repercussions of the misuse of these substances can be significant".

Caffeine overuse can lead to anxiety, tremors and withdrawal headaches. Artificial sweeteners, often used in zero-sugar drinks favoured for their low calories, can cause abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea, while excessive fluid consumption can result in electrolyte imbalances and seizures.


And this is in your average person.

For an individual with an eating disorder, who is restricting nutrients and possibly also abusing laxatives or vomiting in addition to taking energy drinks, the potential for complications are greater.




Source
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/women-using-energy-drinks-to-lose-weight-worries-experts-20141111-11kf0b.html

Saturday, 3 October 2015

Self-help tips to fight fatigue

Many cases of unexplained tiredness are due to stress, not enough sleep, poor diet and other lifestyle factors. Use these self-help tips to restore your energy levels.

Eat often to beat tiredness

A good way to keep up your energy through the day is to eat regular meals and healthy snacks every three to four hours, rather than a large meal less often.
Read more about healthy eating.

Perk up with exercise

You might feel too tired to exercise, but regular exercise will make you feel less tired in the long run, and you’ll have more energy. Even a single 15-minute walk can give you an energy boost, and the benefits increase with more frequent physical activity.
Start with a small amount of exercise. Build up your physical activity gradually over weeks and months until you reach the recommended goal of two-and-a-half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as cycling or fast walking, every week.
Read more about exercise.

Lose weight to gain energy 

If your body is carrying excess weight, it can be exhausting. It also puts extra strain on your heart, which can make you tired. Lose weight and you’ll feel much more energetic. Apart from eating healthily, the best way to lose weight is to be more active and do more exercise.


Sleep well

It sounds obvious, but two-thirds of us suffer from sleep problems, and many people don’t get the sleep they need to stay alert through the day. The Royal College of Psychiatrists advises going to bed and getting up in the morning at the same time every day; avoid naps through the day, and have a hot bath before bed (as hot as you can bear without scalding you) for at least 20 minutes.
Read more about Sleep More, Weigh Less
 .

Reduce stress to boost energy 

Stress uses up a lot of energy. Try to introduce relaxing activities into your day. This could be working out at the gym, or a gentler option, such as listening to music, reading or spending time with friends. Whatever relaxes you will improve your energy.
Read more about how to stress and weight gain.

Talking therapy beats fatigue 

There’s some evidence that talking therapies such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might help to fight fatigue. See your GP for a referral for talking treatment on the NHS or for advice on seeing a private therapist.

Cut out caffeine

The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommends that anyone feeling tired should cut out caffeine. It says the best way to do this is to gradually stop having all caffeine drinks (this includes coffee, tea and cola drinks) over a three-week period. Try to stay off caffeine completely for a month to see if you feel less tired without it.
You may find that not consuming caffeine gives you headaches. If this happens, cut down more slowly on the amount of caffeine that you drink.

Drink less alcohol

Although a few glasses of wine in the evening helps you fall asleep, you sleep less deeply after drinking alcohol. The next day you’ll be tired, even if you sleep a full eight hours.
Cut down on alcohol before bedtime. You’ll get a better night’s rest and have more energy. The NHS recommends that men should not regularly drink more than three to four units a day. Women should not regularly drink more than two to three units a day. "Regularly" means drinking every day or most days of the week.

Drink more water for better energy 

Sometimes you feel tired simply because you’re mildly dehydrated. A glass of water will do the trick, especially after exercise.
Read more How Drinking More Water Can Help You Lose Weight


Source
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/tiredness-and-fatigue/Pages/self-help-energy-tips.aspx

Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Can Coffee Increase Your Metabolism and Help You Burn Fat?

Coffee contains caffeine… which is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.
Caffeine has made its way to most commercial fat burning supplements, for good reason.
It is one of the few substances that is known to help mobilize fats from the fat tissues and increase metabolism.

Coffee Contains Stimulants

Coffee isn’t just warm black water.
Substances in the coffee beans do make it into the final drink.
In fact, coffee contains several biologically active substances that can affect metabolism:
  • Caffeine – a central nervous system stimulant.
  • Theobromine and Theophylline – substances related to caffeine that can also have a stimulant effect.
  • Chlorogenic Acid – one of the biologically active compounds in coffee, may help slow absorption of carbohydrates (1).

The most important of these is caffeine, which is very potent and has been studied thoroughly.
What caffeine does in the brain, is to block an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine (2, 3).
By blocking Adenosine, caffeine increases the firing of neurons and the release of neurotransmitters like Dopamine and Norepinephrine.

Coffee Can Help to Mobilize Fat From The Fat Tissues

Cup of Coffee
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, which sends direct signals to the fat cells to tell them to break down fat (4, 5).
Another thing that caffeine does is to increase our blood levels of the hormone Epinephrine, which is also known as Adrenaline (6, 7).
Epinephrine travels through the blood, to the fat tissues and send signals to break down fats and release them into the blood.
This is how caffeine helps to mobilize fat from the fat tissues, making it available for use as free fatty acids in the blood.

Coffee Can Increase The Metabolic Rate

How many calories we burn at rest is called the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR).
The higher our metabolic rate, the easier it is for us to lose weight and the more we can allow ourselves to eat without gaining.
Studies show that caffeine can increase the metabolic rate by 3-11%, with larger doses having an even bigger effect (8, 9).
Interestingly, most of the increase in metabolism is caused by an increase in the burning of fat (10).
Unfortunately, the effect is less pronounced in those who are obese.
In one study, the increase in fat burning in lean people is as high as 29%, while in obese individuals the increase is about 10% (11). The effect also appears to diminish with age and is more pronounced in younger individuals (12).
Caffeine can improve athletic performance via several mechanisms, one of those being increased mobilization of fatty acids from the fat tissues. Studies show that caffeine can improve exercise performance by 11-12%, on average (13, 14).

Coffee and Weight Loss in The Long Term


There is one major caveat here, and that is the fact that people become tolerant to the effects of caffeine (15, 16).
In the short term, caffeine can boost the metabolic rate and increase fat burning, but after a while people become tolerant to the effects and it stops working.
But even if coffee doesn’t make you expend more calories in the long term, there is still a possibility that it blunts appetite and helps you eat less.
In one study, caffeine had an appetite reducing effect in men, but not in women – making them eat less at a meal following caffeine consumption. However, another study showed no effect for men (17, 18).
Whether coffee or caffeine can help you lose weight in the long term may depend on the individual. At this point, there is no evidence that it can help with weight loss in the long term.


Take Home Message

Even though caffeine can boost your metabolism in the short term, this effect is diminished in long-term coffee drinkers due to tolerance.
If you’re primarily interested in coffee for the sake of fat loss, then it may be best to cycle it to prevent a buildup of tolerance. Perhaps cycles of 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off.
Of course, there are plenty of other great reasons to drink coffee, including the fact that coffee is the single largest source of antioxidants in the western diet, outranking both fruits and vegetables, combined.




Source
http://authoritynutrition.com/coffee-increase-metabolism/

How to Lose Weight with Coffee

Coffee's role in a weight loss plan has often been hotly debated. Coffee can have both negative and positive effects on your health and weight depending on how it is consumed. Of course, if you already rely on a daily coffee habit, you aren't likely to want to give it up in order to lose weight, so learning how to harness coffee's positive attributes will be essential. The guide below covers how to lose weight with coffee by keeping a few key considerations in mind.


1
Consume coffee in moderation. This is the most important aspect of fitting coffee into your weight loss plan. Excessive coffee consumption can lead to increased stress levels and insomnia, both of which can lead to overeating. Try to cut your coffee consumption to just 1 or 2 cups per day, or try switching some of your daily coffee intake to decaf.

2
Forget the cream and sugar. This is an obvious but extremely effective technique for losing weight with coffee. Adding large amounts of cream and sugar to your coffee can give it the caloric content of a candy bar or more. If you cannot wean yourself entirely onto black coffee, try using skim milk and sugar-free sweeteners instead.


3
Ditch the specialty coffee beverages. Even worse than adding cream and sugar to a cup of brewed coffee is drinking the large, flavored, espresso-based beverages that are becoming more and more popular at coffee shops. These drinks often contain large amounts of milk and flavored sugar syrups and can contain as many calories as a whole meal.

4
Try coffee after dinner to reduce cravings. One of coffee's positive attributes is its role as an appetite suppressant. For this reason, try drinking coffee after your dinner each night. This may help you to reduce your cravings for dessert or other late-night snack foods before bed.
  • You can also try brushing your teeth shortly after dinner or after your after-dinner coffee. Having a freshly cleaned mouth may help to reduce your temptation to eat anything else before bed.

5
Drink coffee an hour or so before a workout. Coffee consumed before a workout can increase your energy and alertness, which can help you to undertake a more rigorous, focused workout. Coffee can also help dull joint and muscle pain. However, you may want to avoid drinking coffee immediately before exercising, as the acid coupled with the agitation from exercise may lead to an upset stomach.

6
Augment your coffee with plenty of water. Coffee can act as a diuretic in many people, meaning that it will cause you to lose fluids. To stay hydrated and keep your stomach fuller, drink a cup of water for every cup of coffee you drink.



Comment below what you think, Love hearing your thoughts.


Source
http://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-with-Coffee

Monday, 28 September 2015

Black Coffee & Weight Loss

Coffee drinkers love their morning cup o' Joe. In fact, according to a 2010 Filterfresh Coffee Report survey, 54 percent of those surveyed said they would give up their cell phone before giving up their daily cup of coffee. And even though 96 percent of respondents report that they receive their daily shot of caffeine from coffee, the majority of coffee drinkers are not looking to black coffee as a meal replacement or weight loss contributor. But can drinking black coffee boost your weight loss efforts?



Coffee Aids Weight Loss

"Some studies have shown that drinking coffee with caffeine may slightly increase weight loss or in actuality prevent weight gain by suppressing the appetite or the desire to eat," says Kathy Taylor, a registered dietitian. "It may also help with calorie burning by stimulating thermogenesis--our body's way of generating heat from metabolizing food. Ultimately caffeine acts like a diuretic causing us to have water loss so there is a temporary decrease in body weight."
Often people trying to lose weight think that coffee may give them an edge, because after drinking coffee they often feel full and don't eat as much. "Coffee is not a food substitute," says Dr. Danine Fruge, Associate Medical Director of the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa. "It will only fool your brain for so long. You still need to eat."

Helps with Your Workout

Coffee--and caffeine--is a great weight loss tool for several reasons, according to Maik Wiedenbach, owner of Adlertraining in New York City. "It is a powerful anti-oxidant, which is important for your recovery from exercise and overall immune health. Also, coffee mobilizes free fatty acids, which can then be oxidized during exercises." Wiedenbach adds that coffee gives you a mental edge and greater focus.

Increased Metabolism

For maximum weight-loss success, the Weight Control Room website suggests drinking coffee black, on an empty stomach and only in moderation. The site says caffeine can increase your metabolism by stimulating your nervous system because it facilitates the burning of body fat by pulling fatty acids out of the fat cells. The site, however, cautions against drinking coffee while consuming carbohydrates. "If you drink coffee while eating carbohydrates the insulin produced in your body may override the fat burning effects of the caffeine."

Recommendations

"Black coffee does get your heart pumping a little faster in the morning before a workout but it is stimulant induced and not natural," adds Taylor. "My advice is to keep your coffee or any caffeinated beverages to only 2 per day"--that's two 8-oz. cups of coffee per day or two 12-oz. caffeinated sodas per day. Taylor advises drinking them before noon so they won't negatively impact your sleep. "The ultimate goal is to get enough sleep (6 to 8 hours/night) so you don't need the stimulant, and that usually means cutting the TV off at a decent hour."

Other Considerations

Coffee is an anorectic and will suppress your appetite. That's why it's important for coffee drinkers to consume more water and maintain a healthy diet. "When people drink a lot of coffee they sometimes cut back on their water intake and are more prone to snack on unhealthy foods like pastries," says Dr. Fruge. "Sometimes people who drink coffee find themselves overeating later on in the day because they skipped meals while they were drinking coffee," she adds.

Warnings

Since coffee has a quick saturation effect, Wiedenbach cautions coffee drinkers to not use it every day. "High doses (above 800 mg/daily) can lead to heart palpitations, tremors and sweating," he adds. There's some good news, though. "The body wanes off caffeine quickly; it only takes 5 days to clean the receptor cells. After that, you can enjoy the benefits anew," Weidenbach says.


Source
http://livewell.jillianmichaels.com/black-coffee-weight-loss-4922.html