Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

3

So, I've been dealing with extremely SLOW weight loss ever since I quit caffeine towards the end of January. I started off the year with a full coffee habit and jumped into the 21-Day Sugar Detox. I lost 13 lbs over the course of the 3 weeks and switched to caffeinated tea on the third week and then weaned myself off caffeine completely by the time I finished.

Since then I've lost only 3.5 lbs (sticking to a Primal type eating plan). I weigh over 230 lbs, so the issue isn't that I'm close to goal or anything like that. The only thing that REALLY changed is the no caffeine. I quit because I had heard it was bad for weight loss and insulin levels (quitting is encouraged on the 21-day sugar detox).

What do you all think? Anyone actually experience weight gain or stalled weight loss from drinking coffee/caffeine? Or anyone have the opposite issue, which I appear to be having, lack of caffeine actually stalling weight loss? I really enjoy my morning coffee, so if it's not a problem, and might even be helpful, I'd like to add it back in.

flag	asked Feb 25 2012 at 23:48 RadiantRachel 526●1●7

none · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-26 00:59:58Z UTC

Coffee is a stimulant, so if you tend toward high stress and cortisol, it can cause problems with your weight loss.

However, the bodybuilding world knows their shiz about the science of fat loss, and the ECA or ephedrine (no longer legal) caffeine aspirin stack is a staple for losing fat. It may also cause many other problems though.

Coffee does have some very special properties that help aid fat loss:

It can raise adiponectin which is a hormone made in fat tissue. Generally you want your adiponetin to be up since low adiponectin is related to metabolic syndrome, cancer and heart disease.

It lowers resistin, which is another adipose hormone that you generally want to be low. When elevated it's correlated with the things that low adiponectin is.

It elevates the enzyme AMPK which some call the master switch that turns regular fat cells into fat burning cells. It is said that caffeine acts in the same way excerise does to elevate AMPK.

Since coffee can lower blood sugar and cause a resulting cortisol spike, which would prolly stall weight loss, my one real piece of advice is make sure your coffee is not taken on an empty belly, after meals seems like a better idea.

Also, I am a stay at home mom with a PubMed problem, so I could be wrong about all of this.

Atkins-witha-loincloth · Answer 2 · 2012-02-26 00:30:32Z UTC

Drink your coffee! As with any other food or substance, just don't go way overboard with it!

http://www.ineedcoffee.com/05/weightloss/

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/HQ00369

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/05/guiltless-coffee-the-drink-may-actually-make-us-healthier/239028/

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/five-new-studies-support-your-morning-coffee-habit-2286788.html

hannah · Answer 3 · 2012-02-26 00:33:15Z UTC

I've had the same exact experience. Not necessarily "weight" loss, but overall body composition, overall energy (not just the post-caffeine rush), and mood. There are numerous studies out there showing that moderate caffeine intake lowers depression, especially in women, and is extremely high in antioxidant activity. Most cultures around the world have a traditional caffeinated drink: black teas, green and white teas, mate, coffee prepared in many different ways. I would say experiment with what makes you feel good and what doesn't. I feel better in general with a small amount of caffeine once a day, so that's what I do.

gismcieri · Answer 4 · 2012-02-26 00:25:49Z UTC

I have only heard the oposite. It isn't great for cortisol or sleeping but preworkout and morning (as long as it isn't a crutch) then i think caffeine is fine. Here is a recent post about caffeine from Mark Sisson.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/dear-mark-should-i-consume-caffeine-before-my-workout/#axzz1nRW57EX4

I personally would experiment with it. Add it back in and see what happens.

Also 230 is relative. If you are 5'5" is alot but if you are 6'5" its not so much. I am assuming you are in the middle of that and want to drop some side so I am just messing with you.

thhq · Answer 5 · 2012-02-26 13:12:24Z UTC

I've gained and lost, drinking coffee all the way. I didn't lose weight and keep it off without going about it intentionally, so I regard the emotional aspect as critical. On the plus side for coffee in this regard, it's a distraction, keeps you alert, and focuses your thinking. All that can keep your spirits up while you concentrate on the task, and coffee will also distract you from bored random eating. I don't think it will speed up your weight loss dramatically. Your beginning rate of loss is typically the highest, and 1-2 pounds a week is the safe and steady rate that will get the job done over 6 months. Don't be discouraged by it.

killerbee · Answer 6 · 2012-02-26 13:25:10Z UTC

I've noticed that when I stop drinking coffee (usually I switch to tea - I haven't been completely caffeine free since I was in grade school), I get intense cravings for sugar and my appetite is through the roof. Even if I avoid carbs, I literally can't stop eating. I don't have a clue what the biological mechanism is behind this, but coffee is known to be an appetite suppressant, so I wonder if I just have an out of control appetite that is only controlled by my coffee consumption.

Have you noticed a difference in how hungry you are, or are you eating more since quitting coffee?

I agree with others who say if you like your coffee, and you don't have any negative reactions to it, drink up!

Coffee/Caffeine - Lack thereof seems to have stalled weight loss.

6 Answers