If you’ve been exploring strategies to cut successfully or just want to trim some excess pounds, you’ve probably come across claims about coffee being a weight-loss miracle. From boosting metabolism to burning fat, coffee appears to be the silver bullet for weight loss. But, as you'd probably expect, it's not that simple.

Can Coffee Help You Lose Weight?

The short answer: it can. There are four main ways in which coffee has been linked to weight loss, all of which relate to caffeine, the stimulant found within coffee beans.

1. Caffeine increases your metabolic rate

2. Caffeine increases the breakdown of fat

3. Caffeine suppresses appetite

4. Caffeine improves the quality of your workouts

But it’s not quite a free pass to shed pounds while sipping lattes. Let's explore each of these potential weight-loss properties of caffeine in a bit more detail.

1. How Does Coffee Effect the Metabolism?

Metabolism is often seen as the holy grail of weight loss. Individuals with a higher metabolic rate are able to lose weight much more easily. One study, found resting metabolic rate was increased by 3-4% in human subjects following regular caffeine consumption (1). The increase in metabolism is caused by a process known as thermogenesis, which causes your body to burn more calories as heat energy. 

Here’s the catch: the metabolic boost from caffeine is temporary. Regular coffee drinkers may notice the effects diminishing over time as their body adapts. So, while coffee can give your metabolism a little nudge, it’s not a long-term fix.

2. Can Coffee Burn Fat?

Sort of. Coffee won’t magically melt fat off your body, but it can help your body tap into fat stores for energy. Caffeine triggers the release of epinephrine (adrenaline), which tells your system to break down fat into free fatty acids (2). These fatty acids can then be burned off as fuel during exercise.

Crucially, without a calorie deficit (burning more calories than you consume), caffeine will not be much help in losing fat. Coffee is a tool - not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle.

3. How Does Coffee Suppress Your Appetite?

Evidence linking caffeine to appetite suppression is mixed (3). Some evidence suggests that caffeine can reduce hunger hormones like ghrelin, although this is unproven. The act of sipping a warm beverage might also psychologically curb cravings. However, this isn’t unique to coffee - it could apply to any hot drink.

The recent “coffee loophole diet” TikTok trend, which involves drinking supplement-infused coffee to curb feelings of hunger, is an inadvisable weight-loss strategy. Relying on coffee instead of real food can lead to nutritional deficiencies, energy crashes, and a caffeine dependency that’s tough to break. Weight loss is about balance, and coffee shouldn’t replace the nutrients your body needs.

4. How Caffeine Benefits Your Workouts

Caffeine is one of the most well-researched supplements for enhancing workout performance, making it a staple for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It works by stimulating the central nervous system, increasing alertness, focus, and energy levels. It has also been linked to increased endurance and a reduction in the perception of effort during exercise (4)(5).

Consuming caffeine about 30–60 minutes before exercise can help improve performance, therefore supporting your weight loss goals. 

Final Thoughts

Coffee and weight loss have a complex relationship—there’s no shortcut to achieving your goals, but the right cup of coffee can play a supporting role.

1. Caffeine increases your metabolic rate - True, but only in the short-term.

2. Caffeine increases the breakdown of fat - True, but only effective with a calorie deficit.

3. Caffeine suppresses appetite - Limited Evidence.

4. Caffeine improves the quality of your workouts - True, and well-supported by research.

When accompanied with an active lifestyle, the caffeine within coffee can accelerate your weight-loss journey. Aura Coffee takes this a step further by combining premium coffee with functional, performance-boosting ingredients to support your overall health and fitness goals.

If you’re ready to upgrade your coffee game, why not give Aura Coffee a try? It might just become your new favourite training partner.