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Drinking black coffee has more health benefits than we can count on one hand, including several for weight loss alone. “It can be beneficial by providing the body with antioxidants, acting as a diuretic, and improving bowel movements in those with digestive issues,” registered dietitian Trista Best explains. Additionally coffee can help increase energy which is a necessary factor in exercise (which can, in turn, lead to weight loss). So, why isn’t your coffee working for you? Well, you’re probably not drinking it black!
Watch What You Add To It
“Coffee may lead to weight gain primarily due to the ingredients you use to sweeten or flavor your coffee,” Trista explains. It’s as plain and simple as that: coffee alone supports weight loss, but coffee with a bunch of sweeteners and creamers does just the opposite.
“By adding high-calorie and fat sweeteners or creamers you are increasing the likelihood of your regular coffee beverage causing weight gain,” Trista Warns. And that might be because you are conditioned to wanting your coffee to taste sweeter than it naturally does, but the
"Creamers loaded with added sugar and sweeteners pack on extra calories and ingredients that feed bad gut bacteria and lead to gut imbalance," she warns. The worst offenders? The popular International Delight flavored creamers. "They are loaded with fat and added sugar, both of which will lead to gut inflammation and gastrointestinal distress," she warns. Yikes!
For those wanting weight loss benefits *and* a sweeter cup, Trista recommends adding Stevia to yours.
"Stevia is a natural herbal sweetener with a low glycemic index and zero calories," she says.
