# Is coffee/caffeine good or bad for belly fat loss? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 20, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602 "2016-03-20T00:09:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/1 "2016-03-20T00:09:40Z")
> **[How to Lose Belly Fat for Good - Muscle & Fitness](https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/30-surefire-ways-lose-your-gut-good-2/)** > > Forget putting off finding your six-pack for another day. Here's a list of things you can do to lose belly fat right now. > [@](#): > > …Caffeine is found in most fat-burning supplements since it inhibits the storage of bodyfat and burns extra fat during exercise. Drink a large cup of coffee before cardio, but make sure it’s black… > **[Coffee promotes cortisol production and weight gain](https://www.naturalnews.com/034674_coffee_cortisol_weight_gain.html)** > > Coffee promotes cortisol production and weight gain > [@](#): > > …Coffee promotes cortisol production and weight gain… > **[3 Powerful Changes That Burn Belly Fat (without dieting)](https://tracidmitchell.com/lifestyle/burn-belly-fat-changes/)** > > Traci D Mitchell helps women everywhere get control of their health through accountability and weight loss coaching. > [@](#): > > …Losing Belly Fat…1) Cut out Caffeine… > **[4 Ways To Burn Fat Faster With Every Cup: Make Drinking Coffee Work For Your...](https://slism.com/diet/4-ways-to-burn-fat-faster-with-every-cup-make-drinking-coffee-work-for-your-diet.html)** > > Learn how drinking coffee can help you burn off unwanted fat and become an indispensable part of your diet. Discover the secrets behind making it work for you. > [@](#): > > …Caffeine combined with chlorogenic acid produces an enhanced fat burning effect… > **[Can Coffee Increase Your Metabolism and Help You Burn Fat?](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-increase-metabolism)** > > Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant substance that is proven to increase the release of fats from the fat tissues and boost the resting metabolic rate. > [@](#): > > …Caffeine has made its way to most commercial fat burning supplements, for good reason. > > It is one of the few substances that is known to help mobilize fats from the fat tissues and increase metabolism… > > …coffee contains several biologically active substances that can affect metabolism:… > **[Could ditching your daily coffee give YOU a trimmer tummy?](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2429599/Losing-weight-Could-ditching-daily-coffee-YOU-trimmer-tummy-Thats-Frances-Childs--just-month.html)** > > Research has suggested that drinking coffee, tea or caffeinated diet beverages can cause you to pile on the pounds. > [@](#): > > …Could ditching your daily coffee give YOU a trimmer tummy? That’s what Frances Childs found - after just one month… So which ones are right? Or does it depend on the person? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/2 "2016-03-20T01:16:28Z")
Mayo clinic is a bit more reliable source, IMHO: [Coffee calories: Sabotaging your weight loss? - Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/caffeine/faq-20058459) > [@](#): > > Caffeine may slightly boost weight loss or prevent weight gain, but there’s no sound evidence that increased caffeine consumption results in significant or permanent weight loss Notice the word “_may_” in the sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Molotok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Molotok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Molotok)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/3 "2016-03-20T01:19:54Z")
Maybe the people gaining weight ‘‘from caffeine’’ are drinking it white with several sugars? In which case, it’s the milk and sugar you need to look at. I’d reckon drinking black coffee, no sugar, would not make you fat or impede your attempts to lose weight. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/4 "2016-03-20T01:37:33Z")
> **[Caffeinated and caffeine-free beverages and risk of type 2 diabetes - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23151535/)** > > Irrespective of the caffeine content, SSB intake was associated with a higher risk of T2D, and coffee intake was associated with a lower risk of T2D. coffee intake is linked to a lower incidence of type II diabetes; according to the metabolic theory of belly fat, it may (big may) therefore be useful for removing or keeping belly fat away. > **[Factors associated with metabolic syndrome in a mediterranean population:...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24806662/)** > > Although no direct association between caffeine intake and MetS or its components was observed, coffee and tea consumption was significantly related to reduced odds of MetS. coffee intake reduces the incidence of metabolic syndrome, suggesting it may be useful for fighting belly fat. > **[Caffeine Impact on Metabolic Syndrome Components Is Modulated by a CYP1A2...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26588584/)** > > Cultural, dietary, and lifestyle factors are the main modulators of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disease risk. Coffee is one of the most popular worldwide beverages, and recent epidemiological studies have showed that coffee consumption is... however, the effect varies by sex and individual genetic make-up. > **[Caffeine intake is related to successful weight loss maintenance - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26554757/)** > > The effect of caffeine intake on weight loss maintenance has not been examined in humans. We compared the daily consumption of coffee and caffeinated beverages between 494 weight loss maintainers and 2129 individuals from the general population... coffee and caffeine seem to be useful for maintaining weight loss after you achieve it. ---
**Author:** ![bb49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/5 "2016-03-20T02:04:07Z")
So it’s the caffeine doing it to my wife. I’ll have to suggest to her to order the frappuccino with the double shot of Kahlua as a decaf next time. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/6 "2016-03-20T02:10:12Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > [Caffeinated and caffeine-free beverages and risk of type 2 diabetes - PubMed](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23151535) > > coffee intake is linked to a lower incidence of type II diabetes; according to the metabolic theory of belly fat, it may (big may) therefore be useful for removing or keeping belly fat away. > > [Factors associated with metabolic syndrome in a mediterranean population: role of caffeinated beverages - PubMed](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24806662) > > coffee intake reduces the incidence of metabolic syndrome, suggesting it may be useful for fighting belly fat. > > [Caffeine Impact on Metabolic Syndrome Components Is Modulated by a CYP1A2 Variant - PubMed](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26588584) > > however, the effect varies by sex and individual genetic make-up. > [Caffeine intake is related to successful weight loss maintenance - PubMed](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26554757) > > coffee and caffeine seem to be useful for maintaining weight loss after you achieve it. Those studies you cite are hardly conclusive. For instance, the one on metabolic syndrome and caffeine states: > [@](#): > > ONCLUSIONS: > Although no direct association between caffeine intake and MetS or its components was observed, coffee and tea consumption was significantly related to reduced odds of MetS. Correlation does not equal causation. I echo the Mayo Clinic’s conclusion again: “No sound evidence”. QtM, longtime caffeine consumer with metabolic syndrome and belly fat ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/7 "2016-03-20T02:29:05Z")
> [@](#): > > echo the Mayo Clinic’s conclusion again: “No sound evidence”. I agree. Any effect may also be due to drinking coffee instead of sugary soda or juice. However, it suggests it might have an effect and I’ve never heard of any side effects from drinking a few cups of black coffee per day, so it’s worth a try as an addition to other efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/8 "2016-03-20T02:29:28Z")
As I understand it, one can’t target specific body fat to lose (excepting liposuction). As such, caffeine cannot. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/9 "2016-03-20T02:35:03Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > As I understand it, one can’t target specific body fat to lose (excepting liposuction). As such, caffeine cannot. “good for belly fat loss” can mean that other fat is lost as well ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/10 "2016-03-20T02:54:39Z")
It’s weird how many popular websites go beyond saying coffee and caffeine are neutral - they say it is bad for fat or weight loss. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/11 "2016-03-20T02:59:09Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > As I understand it, one can’t target specific body fat to lose (excepting liposuction). As such, caffeine cannot. BTW a lot of belly fat is a very different type of fat (visceral vs subcutaneous) and apparently things like cortisol are involved. The belly fat cure claims to target belly fat better than a typical weight loss program. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/12 "2016-03-20T03:08:50Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > The belly fat cure claims to target belly fat better than a typical weight loss program. “Claims”, yes. Good luck with that JC. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/13 "2016-03-20T03:23:48Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > BTW a lot of belly fat is a very different type of fat (visceral vs subcutaneous) and apparently things like cortisol are involved. The belly fat cure claims to target belly fat better than a typical weight loss program. They lie. The key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you take in. Eat less (while still getting all the nutrients you need) and exercise more. Everything else is just cognitive dissonance preventing you from doing what it really takes. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/14 "2016-03-20T03:38:21Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > They lie. The belly fat cure talks about insulin and glucagon being the key concepts. > [@](#): > > The key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you take in. Eat less (while still getting all the nutrients you need) and exercise more. Everything else is just cognitive dissonance preventing you from doing what it really takes. What if the diet includes that but also includes more? Also this weight loss you’re talking about can including losing water weight and muscle. But my diet also talks about other things like “false belly fat” which is says is “Trapped waste matter that adds pounds and inches to the belly, and can also interfere with the absorption of nutrients and healthy digestion”. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/15 "2016-03-20T03:44:19Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > “Claims”, yes. Good luck with that JC. Well a famous guy called Wayne Dyer apparently said “I put the Belly Fat Cure into practice and took 15 pounds off around my middle. I obviously endorse this book!” I personally have some stubborn belly fat while the rest of me is quite thin. I hope to have a stomach like the guy in the second pic while not getting a skeletal face in the future [![](http://ee85019fd821af767b70-f458b2f4b4b80b1a6f1dc7d41583c151.r97.cf1.rackcdn.com/women-vs-men-visual-fat.jpg) ](http://ee85019fd821af767b70-f458b2f4b4b80b1a6f1dc7d41583c151.r97.cf1.rackcdn.com/women-vs-men-visual-fat.jpg) Here are some of his celebrity clients: [[Album] Celebrity friends ![](https://live.staticflickr.com/2597/3796450732_57c1182a0f_b.jpg "Celebrity friends") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/jorgecruise/sets/72157600128242709/) I think it is fairly clear that he knows what he is doing. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/16 "2016-03-20T03:55:58Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > The belly fat cure talks about insulin and glucagon being the key concepts. **QtM** is a doctor and a diabetic. He says the Mayo clinic says nada, that’s the answer I’m going to go with. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/17 "2016-03-20T04:02:26Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > The belly fat cure talks about insulin and glucagon being the key concepts. > What if the diet includes that but also includes more? Also this weight loss you’re talking about can including losing water weight and muscle. But my diet also talks about other things like “false belly fat” which is says is “Trapped waste matter that adds pounds and inches to the belly, and can also interfere with the absorption of nutrients and healthy digestion”. “Trapped waste matter”?? Lol. No. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/18 "2016-03-20T04:03:09Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > **QtM** is a doctor and a diabetic. He says the Mayo clinic says nada, that’s the answer I’m going to go with. QtM commented on belly fat and caffeine and also gave one example (themself). What you quoted me saying doesn’t really have much to do with caffeine at all and though Jorge Cruise isn’t a doctor he has had a lot of success with celebrities. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/19 "2016-03-20T04:08:13Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > “Trapped waste matter”?? Lol. No. > **[What is Fecal Impaction (Impacted Bowel) and How Is It Treated?](https://www.healthline.com/health/fecal-impaction)** > > Fecal impaction of the colon is when stool becomes stuck in the colon and can’t leave the body. “…The walls of your intestines absorb nutrients from the food. What remains as waste passes along to your colon and rectum. At times, things may go wrong in this process and the waste becomes stuck in the colon. This is known as fecal impaction of the colon…” There are also articles about colon cleansing and the build up of waste matter. I thought there would be some truth to it. > **[Do you really need a colon cleanse?](https://www.livescience.com/48482-colon-hydrotherapy-risks-side-effects.html)** > > Unless you're prepping for a colonoscopy, probably not. “A person who does a cleanse may initially lose a few pounds, but that is a temporary loss, resulting from the removal of water weight and stool, and not from a permanent loss of fat” That’s what I’m talking about - stool! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2016, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602/20 "2016-03-20T04:10:17Z")
**JC** Those look like standard photo ops, not client endorsements. Just bear in mind that the fact those people are posted on his Flickr page doesn’t mean they have any relationship at all. If you want to try this program to lose weight, please remember what others on this thread have said: -You can’t target body fat in one area of your body with a diet. -The key to weight loss is using more calories than you take in. Ideally, you should do this in a healthy manner (there a very unhealthy ways to do this). You may want to ask your doctor what program they recommend for weight loss or even if they would look at this one for you. -Weight loss is generally not easy. It involves commitment and effort. If something makes it sound effortless, it’s probably more of a sales job and less of a reality. In other words, they want your money, so they’re saying what you want to hear. Again, talk to your doctor. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-coffee-caffeine-good-or-bad-for-belly-fat-loss/749602.md?page=2)