Research Corner - Q&A Caffeine and Weight Loss by Carla Sottovia | Date Released : 07 Apr 2003 0 comments Print Close Question: I've been reading about the relationship between hormones, caffeine and weight management. Can you recommend any additional readings or places to research this interrelationship and how ingesting caffeine affects weight gain/loss? Answer: For more than 20 years, researchers have studied the effect of caffeine on lipolysis (release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue), which in turn could be used for energy during endurance activities. However, caffeine can bring about many side effects such as diuresis, fibrocystic breast disease, cardiac arrhythmias, etc. Also, in order to enhance lipolysis, the individual would have to ingest several cups of caffeine per day (four to five or more). As the individual becomes more and more tolerant to caffeine, larger doses would probably be necessary. Coffee does not have any/enough calories to induce any weight gain. Due to the many side effects listed above and to the fact that lipolysis will mainly occur during endurance activities and not necessarily at rest (unless under stressful environments such as starvation, anorexia etc.), the use of caffeine to enhance weight loss should not be considered. In terms of weight loss, it all boils down to how much is taken in and how much is going out. A 500 kcal deficit per day is pretty safe (250 kcal from food and 250 kcal from exercise) and recommended by most organizations. Resources: American Dietetic Association: www.eatright.org Tufts University Nutrition Navigator: www.navigator.tufts.org Sensible Nutrition Connection: www.sensiblenutrition.com Food and Nutrition Information Center: www.nal.usda.gov/fnic Back to top About the author: Carla Sottovia With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Carla Sottovia has helped individuals achieve a path of personal wellness, improved fitness, and overall quality of life – “My goal is to instill the importance of Fitness/Wellness in client’s lives much like brushing one’s teeth, eating, and sleeping. It is also to educate clients that an individual does not need to be an athlete in order to achieve their inner strength or personal best, and ultimately they can improve their quality of life through an active life-style”. Dr. Sottovia is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She received a B.S. in Physical Education from the State University of Brockport, NY (1985); followed by an M.A. in Exercise Physiology from San Jose State University, CA (1990), and her Doctorate in Exercise Physiology from Texas Woman’s University, TX (2002). She holds several Advance personal training certifications in the areas of Functional Movement training & Assessments, Pilates Training, Optimal Flexibility, Vibration Training, Post-injury/Preventive exercise intervention; youth training; sports specific coaching (Running, Swimming & Triathlon). She is also a licensed Wellness Coach and Adjunct instructor (The Cooper Institute) in addition to be the official instructor/representative of the FMS System in Brazil. Dr. Sottovia is an avid triathlete/runner having completed more than 50 triathlons including 3 Ironman Distance Triathlons (Hawaii, Germany, Brazil). She holds a PR of 3hrs. 26 min (Boston Marathon). She is also a published author – Energy Substrate:Truths and Misconceptions, 06” Full Author Details Related content Content from Carla Sottovia Caffeine and Muscle Development Carla Sottovia | Articles Grapefruit and Weight Loss Apex Fitness | Articles Menopause and Weight Loss Carla Sottovia | Articles Caffeine and Muscle Development Carla Sottovia | Articles Fueling the Body Carla Sottovia | Articles Celiac Disease Carla Sottovia | Articles Menopause and Weight Loss Carla Sottovia | Articles Caffeine and Weight Loss Carla Sottovia | Articles Post Exercise Eating Carla Sottovia | Articles Caffeine and Exercise Carla Sottovia | Articles Coral Calcium Carla Sottovia | Articles Carb Intake With Weight Loss Carla Sottovia | Articles Body Fat Loss Formula Carla Sottovia | Articles Fat Metabolism at Rest and During Exercise Carla Sottovia | Articles Food Intake and Exercise Carla Sottovia | Articles Protein Metabolism and Physical Activity Carla Sottovia | Articles The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in Children Carla Sottovia | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top