Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and it has some pretty incredible health benefits. It boosts metabolism, supports exercise performance, and helps prevent fat storage.
How to Use Coffee to Boost Your Metabolism and Lose Weight
However, the way you prepare your brew can sabotage these benefits. If you load it up with artificial creamers and sugar, you’ll be wasting all of the coffee's fat-burning potential.
1. Add a dash of cinnamonIf you want to enjoy the flavor of coffee without saturating your body with fat and sugar, there are plenty of healthy options. Add a bit of a low-glycemic sweetener to your mug, or try a cup of Bulletproof Coffee (made with grass-fed butter and Brain Octane MCT oil).
In addition to making it taste better than plain black coffee, these ingredients will also boost your health. Cinnamon, for example, is an anti-inflammatory spice that has been shown to improve blood sugar regulation and lower cholesterol. It also has metabolism-boosting properties and helps suppress appetite.
A study from the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute found that cinnamaldehyde, a compound in cinnamon, can cause your cells to burn fat instead of store it. It's also an excellent natural antioxidant and immune-boosting ingredient.
Adding a dash of cinnamon to your morning cup of coffee is an easy way to increase its health benefits. You can sprinkle it directly onto your mug, or add it to the ground coffee before brewing. The key is to use true cinnamon, not the imitation that you find in many stores. Real cinnamon has a sweet, woody flavor that pairs well with the bitterness of black coffee.
Another great ingredient to add to your cup of joe is turmeric. This superfood has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease, Alzheimer's, dementia, arthritis, and other diseases. It has also been proven to help with weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate and speeding up the breakdown of fat.
2. Add a dash of cayenneCoffee is a favorite beverage for many people and it is also known to boost the natural metabolic rate. This is due to the presence of caffeine in it which helps to burn fats and also enhances energy levels. You can brew some black coffee in a mug and add a dash of cayenne pepper to it. This will give it a spicier flavor and improve your metabolism. It will also help to speed up the process of fat burning and thereby help you to lose weight.
A fast metabolism means you'll burn more calories, both at rest and during exercise. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases your basal metabolic rate, and early research suggests it might support fat burning during exercise as well, according to a 2018 study.
You can try adding a dash of cayenne pepper in your morning cup of coffee. Cayenne pepper can help to boost your metabolic rate by improving blood circulation and boosting the body's ability to burn fat. Cayenne pepper is also full of antioxidants which help to promote healthy skin and reduce the risk of certain cancers.
While drinking a cup of coffee will help boost your metabolism, it's important to choose a low-calorie option when possible. For instance, you should avoid adding milk or sugar to your coffee since these are high in calories. Instead, try using a non-dairy creamer like coconut milk which is lower in calories but still provides some creamy goodness to your coffee. If you're looking for a healthier way to add sweetness to your coffee, try adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg. It's also a good idea to try to drink your coffee black or with just a splash of milk to avoid adding excess calories to your daily diet.
3. Add a dash of nutmegNutmeg is an essential spice that adds a zesty flavor and health benefits to coffee. It is rich in antioxidants and helps boost your metabolic rate by increasing your natural fat burning hormones. You can add a dash of nutmeg to your cup of black coffee or simple espresso shot for best results.
While drinking a healthy dose of coffee can help support weight loss and promote healthy body function, common coffee add-ins like artificial creamers and added sugar can sabotage your health goals. Artificial creamers are loaded with inflammatory chemicals that cause foggy brain and fatigue, while processed sugar spikes blood sugar and leads to energy crashes. And while plant-based creamers made with almond milk or coconut milk may be lower in calories, they often contain franken-food ingredients that can disrupt your gut bacteria and promote inflammation and allergies.
Adding a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg to your morning cup of coffee can give it an extra boost of metabolism-boosting goodness, but it’s also important to limit the amount of caffeine you consume. While some people are able to safely consume up to five cups of coffee per day, consuming too much can have negative side effects including anxiety, digestive issues, jitters, and insomnia.
To make your coffee healthier, try replacing added sugar and artificial creamers with grass-fed butter or Brain Octane MCT oil. These healthy alternatives to high-calorie creamers can provide you with the same creamy texture without the extra calories and sugar crash. If you still need a little sweetener, opt for a low-glycemic sweetener like monk fruit or stevia.
4. Add a dash of honeyAlthough caffeine has a reputation for being a diet-buster, research shows that when consumed in moderation, it can actually support weight loss. This is likely because it can enhance exercise-induced fat burning and boost energy levels, making it easier to stick with your workouts and increase your calorie burn.
However, drinking a cup of coffee loaded with sugar or other high-calorie sweeteners can derail your weight-loss efforts. In fact, consuming too much added sugar can cause you to gain weight and may even lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
A simple way to improve your morning java without adding calories is by replacing the sugar with natural honey. This sweetener has a lower glycemic index than processed sugar and is full of beneficial antioxidants. Additionally, honey has the ability to suppress appetite and boost metabolism.
Another way to add flavor and boost your metabolism is by adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg. These spices are known to reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels, making them an ideal addition to your daily coffee.
Lastly, adding a sprinkle of cardamom can help to add a unique flavor to your morning beverage. This spice is a relative of ginger and is incredibly rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to traditional coffee, try substituting the milk and sugar with plant-based milks such as almond or soy and a small amount of natural sweetener like honey. Additionally, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to your drink for a delicious flavor. You can also try brewing your java with a splash of coconut oil to add a rich, creamy taste without the added calories and sugar.
5. Add a dash of vanillaIncorporating vanilla into your coffee adds a natural sweet taste without the extra calories. Vanilla extract also contains antioxidants and can help to boost metabolism. Green tea extract is another good additive to try. It provides a large dose of caffeine and has plenty of beneficial compounds, including catechins and other polyphenols.
Coconut oil is one of the latest healthy ingredients to make its way into everything from food to beauty products, but it can add a delicious flavor to your coffee as well. It is full of fats called medium-chain triglycerides, which are quickly absorbed by the body and provide energy.
Cardamom is a spice that has long been used in Middle Eastern cuisine, but it has recently become more popular in other parts of the world. It’s a relative of ginger and can be added to black coffee to increase its health quotient. It helps to speed up your metabolic rate and burns stubborn belly fat.
Avoid adding a lot of cream and sugar to your coffee as this can add a lot of calories that will slow your metabolism and make it difficult for you to lose weight. If you do need to add some sweetness, try using stevia or unsweetened milk instead of regular milk. It can also be a great idea to drink your coffee before you work out as it will give you a boost of energy.
Another great way to get the most out of your cup of joe is to buy quality coffee from a local roaster rather than from a big box store. Specialty coffee beans are more likely to be fresher and to taste better than the beans that are sold at grocery stores.