Caffeine

People consume everyday products, such as coffee, tea, and sodas that contain caffeine. It can also be found in plant products such as guarana and yerba maté. Guarana contains levels that are twice as potent as coffee. Several over the counter pills like No Doz®, Enerjets®, and Vivarin® have caffeine in them.

How Caffeine Works in Weight Loss

It is not exactly certain how caffeine may work in helping people lose weight, and some studies show that it has no real effect. Most studies were done with rats in the lab, and there are not as many studies on actual people. There are, however, several theories as to how it might work.

Drinking about 6 cups of coffee causes you to burn an extra 100 calories per day. In long term use, caffeine reduces the number of fat cells and size of fat pads. The break down of fat increases after the ingestion of coffee or caffeine.

Caffeine can get into the brain where it can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and increase the amount of adrenaline circulating in the body. It can also increase chemical cellular signals that tell cells to break down more fat.

Physical activity may be increased by caffeine. It improves exercise performance as well. The International Olympic Committee has even placed an upper limit of caffeine in the blood for legal athletic competition. More physical activity equals more calories burned every day.

Either caffeine or other substance in coffee can help you to feel more full, and thus eat less.

Although it does not seem fair, studies have shown that these weight loss effects are greater in people who are not obese compared to those who are.

Some studies with coffee suggest that other chemicals in the coffee are what actually cause weight loss. Several others do point to caffeine as being the key player. There are no studies on guarana by itself for weight loss.

Much more research needs to be done on the real benefits and risks before caffeine can be recommended as a weight loss supplement.

Side Effects

As with any other drug, caffeine has side effects. It can raise blood pressure. This can be very serious in people who have heart and blood vessel disease or who already have high blood pressure. It may also decrease the body's sensitivity to insulin and worsen diabetes. Because so many people, at least in the United States, have these diseases, it limits the usefulness of caffeine as a weight loss aid.

Some of caffeine's other side effects are: chest pain, fast heart beat, delirium, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, and others.

Withdraw symptoms include: headache, irritability, anxiety, depression, drowsiness, and fatigue.

However, it is generally considered to be safe when consumed in moderation, which is about three 8 oz cups of coffee or less. Pregnant women should take in less than that and talk with their doctors.

Caffeine was often combined with ephedra, before its ban, in weight loss pills.

It is important you discuss any weight loss or exercise plan with your doctor. Only you and your physician can decide what is best for you. Some people have certain conditions that prevent them from doing all exercises, and goal body weights may be different for different people. You need to discuss all these things with your physician before starting any weight loss or exercise program.