OULU: Regular coffee consumption may be associated with lower body fat and differences in metabolic health, according to a study by researchers at the University of Oulu in Finland. However, experts caution that coffee should not be considered a magic solution for weight loss.
Caffeine, one of coffee’s main active compounds, can temporarily increase metabolic activity and thermogenesis, a process through which the body produces heat and burns energy. Researchers are now exploring how coffee consumption may relate to body composition, muscle mass and metabolism.
The study analysed medical and physical data from 2,264 people with an average age of 46. Participants were divided into groups according to their daily coffee consumption, ranging from non-coffee drinkers to those who consumed one to five or more cups per day.
The findings showed that people who drank more coffee generally had lower levels of body fat. They also tended to have a lower body fat percentage and less visceral fat, which accumulates around internal organs.
Researchers also observed higher skeletal muscle mass among people who consumed more coffee.
However, the study found no significant differences between the groups in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, or waist-to-hip ratio. This suggests that the association between coffee consumption and body composition was not reflected across all common measures of body size.
The researchers also examined certain chemical compounds in participants’ blood. Results indicated that both men and women who consumed more coffee had lower levels of three amino acids associated with metabolic processes.
Higher levels of these amino acids have been linked to reduced insulin sensitivity and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, although the study’s findings do not establish that coffee consumption directly causes these changes.
The association between coffee intake and certain indicators of glucose and insulin regulation appeared more pronounced in men, while the relationship was more limited in women.
Despite the findings, researchers emphasised the need for caution when interpreting the results. The study identified associations between coffee consumption, body composition and some metabolic indicators, but it did not prove that drinking coffee directly reduces body fat or improves metabolism.
Further research, particularly long-term studies that account for dietary habits and other lifestyle factors, is needed to better understand how coffee affects the body.
For now, coffee may be associated with certain differences in body composition, but it should not replace a balanced diet, regular physical activity or other established approaches to maintaining a healthy weight.