[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
A good cup of coffee is always welcome at break times or when you need to stay up late. However, it is a safe bet that if many people are of the same opinion, few know the true effects of this much appreciated drink on the organism. Discover the secrets of coffee, including its various components and its effects, particularly on weight. The question that arises is whether if coffee makes you gain weight…
Before reading on
I’m not an expert in this field, but I am passionate about nutrition and health.
The articles you’ll find on my site are the result of in-depth research that I’d like to share with you. However, I would like to stress that I am not a health professional and that my advice should in no way replace that of a qualified physician. I’m here to guide you, but it’s important that you consult a professional for specific questions or medical concerns. Your well-being is important. So be sure to consult the appropriate experts and take the best possible care of yourself.
Coffee
Coffee is above all a seed which is generally grown in tropical or subtropical regions. THE climate is hot and above all humid, favorable to the good growth of the coffee tree and the production of excellent quality seeds.
There are two main varieties of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. If Arabica is the most widespread and best known of all for its sweetness and the note of depth without its flavor, Robusta is, on the other hand, more spicy. Richer in caffeine with an intense, even bitter taste, it is often consumed mixed with Arabica.
The coffee bean passes through a roasting process before being suitable for consumption. In fact, he does not yet have any flavor or aroma and even less the brown color present in the cups.
The process consists of grilling the grains for about a quarter of an hour at very high temperatures (between 180 and 240°C). The time and heat level differ depending on the desired roasting.
This transformation loses to the grains their moisture and starches are transformed into sugar. Coffee oil, substance responsible for the coffee flavor is released and the dry coffee finally passes at the grinding stage to obtain powder.
What is coffee made of?
The coffee contains several dozens of active components such as tannins. A coffee bean no roasted is made up of:
- Carbohydrates (a little less than 50%);
- Lipids (15%);
- Proteins (10%);
- Minerals (5%);
- Caffeine (up to 2.4%);
- Chlorogenic acid (approximately 7%).
Coffee also contains many vitamins, minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium.
Despite prejudices, coffee therefore contains only a small percentage of caffeine: 1.3% of the dry matter for Arabica and 2.4% for Robusta.
Bioactive compounds such as melanoidin is formed during the roasting process of the coffee bean and give it its brownish brown color.
What are the benefits of coffee for the body?
Consumed in reasonable proportions, Coffee provides countless benefits for the body. Here are its main virtues.
Optimization of intelligence and attention
Coffee acts largely on the nervous system thanks to caffeine. In addition to reducing the feeling of fatigue, it optimizes concentration as well as reflexes and increases level of alertness.
Caffeine blocks the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter responsible for sleep. As a result, dopamine or norepinephrine and stimulating neurotransmitters act alone and boost the vitality of the body.
High antioxidant content
If there is a rich substance for antioxidants, it’s probably coffee. In fact, coffee beans or roasted is full of many active ingredients called polyphenols. These latter have considerable antioxidant properties.
It has even been proven that coffee contains more antioxidants than any fruits and vegetables. It allows thus fight more easily against degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, certain cancers and diabetes type 2.
An excellent digestive aid
If many people adopt the famous tradition of the cup of coffee just after the meal, it is because this drink stimulates the secretion of enzymes necessary for digestion and regulates intestinal transit.
Its diuretic action on the body also promotes urinary secretion for the maintenance of the kidneys and treats and prevents the risks of high blood pressure.
Against migraines
The cafe is also famous for be an excellent pain reliever. Caffeine puts pressure on the vessels blood present in the brain in order to almost instantly relieve the migraine. Its combination with paracetamol or aspirin increases its effects tenfold.
Does coffee make you gain weight?
Does coffee make you gain weight? The answer is yes, but only in relatively small doses. excessive and under certain conditions.
In theory, a cup of coffee contains almost 0 calories. Caffeine is the main cause of weight gain linked to overconsumption of this drink. In fact, this asset stimulates the production of cortisol (stress hormone) in the body. THE Cortisol increases the blood sugar level in the body. The more coffee you drink, the higher the dose of caffeine in your body. A catchy fact another, excess glycogen is translated into sugar.
Sugar is therefore found in final in blood. However, sugar rhymes with energy, which provides an effect coffee boosting for athletes. But the unspent surplus will be stored under form of fat. So, being overweight will happen sooner or later.
On the other hand, coffee consumed in overdose causes more or less chronic insomnia. However, lack of sleep prevents the body from optimally eliminating waste. These accumulated toxins will contribute to an increase in the level of fat mass, hence the use of coffee in certain food supplements. In particular, you can read my opinion on PhenQ, one of the most renowned fat burners.
Finally, the lack of sleep waking up following an inappropriate intake of coffee generates accumulated fatigue which pushes you to neglect your food hygiene. You tend to prepare unbalanced quick meals (order a pizza, a burger, a fries, etc.) which promote weight gain.
Conclusion
As the saying goes: “any excess is harmful”. A weight gain linked to coffee could only be explained by overconsumption. It is then recommended to review your habits and rebalance your lifestyle and food hygiene. It should still be noted that the coffee has a paradoxical effect: in certain proportions, this drink would allow losing weight…