1. Sugary coffee drinks
Many of us enjoy a cup of coffee (or two, or three) each day. As it turns out, coffee can actually support a fast metabolism and aid weight loss. However, that's only if you leave the unhealthy ingredients out of it. Drinking sugar-loaded coffee can be detrimental to your weight loss goals and may even slow your metabolism over time. One of the biggest culprits is processed, premade coffee drinks.
"Premade and processed coffee drinks are a convenient alternative to standing in line for a traditional sugar-laden coffee," Richards acknowledges. Unfortunately, though, she warns that these beverages "contain empty calories, fat, and added sugar," all of which can lead to a slowed metabolism. According to Richards, the sugar in these drinks is "a contributor to metabolic disorders." So your best option is to make your coffee at home—and leave out the sugar whenever possible!
2. Energy drinks
If coffee isn't your thing, you may choose energy drinks, like Monster or Red Bull instead. However, these caffeinated drinks are also typically loaded with sugar, highly inflammatory, and overall a terrible choice for anyone looking to boost their metabolism and lose weight.
"Energy drinks are often packed with added sugars, artificial colors, preservatives, and unhealthy amounts of caffeine that can slow the body’s natural metabolic process," Wen warns. She points out that all of this can lead to slower weight loss. For this reason, you should lay off the energy drinks if you're trying to slim down.
3. Sweet tea
Maybe you're a tea lover. If this is the case, there's one type of tea you should look out for as you try to lose weight: sugar-packed sweet tea. "Sweet tea is a popular drink made by brewing tea and adding significant amounts of sugar," Richards explains. And we all know that sugar can lead to a range of health issues that can make it difficult to lose weight—that includes a slower metabolism.
"Unfortunately, sweet tea can have negative effects on metabolism," Richards confirms. "Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to a rapid spike in blood sugar levels." Ultimately, those blood sugar spikes trigger insulin releases, which can lead to insulin resistance. Richards describes this as "a condition where cells become less responsive to insulin, which can impair metabolism and lead to
weight gain, diabetes, and other health issues." Yikes!
Of course, there's also the issue of the high calorie content of this beverage, when can result in obesity, another risk factor for metabolic dysfunction. "Drinking sweet tea regularly can therefore have negative effects on metabolism and overall health, and it's generally recommended to limit or avoid sweetened beverages in favor of unsweetened options or water," Richards says.
What to drink instead
The fact that these caffeinated beverages can take a toll on your health doesn't mean you can't enjoy a caffeine boost from healthier options! There are plenty of ways to reap the benefits of caffeine without putting your metabolism at risk. "A healthier caffeinated beverage option would be black coffee or tea–both are low in calories and don’t add any unnecessary sweeteners or other artificial ingredients," Wen concludes. Perfect!