Does drinking coffee cause weight gain?
Disease description:
I am 22 years old this year, and my weight has increased from 100 to 120 pounds over the past year. I feel that my lifestyle hasn't changed much compared to last year, except for one thing: due to a price reduction by a certain coffee brand, I have consumed a lot of coffee this year. Can drinking coffee cause weight gain?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Drinking coffee in moderation by itself does not directly lead to weight gain. Coffee is a low-calorie beverage, with a cup of plain black coffee containing only about 2 calories. Drinking it in moderate amounts generally does not cause weight increase. The caffeine content in coffee may even boost metabolic rate and promote fat oxidation, thus helping to burn calories. At the same time, coffee might suppress appetite, making people feel full and reducing food intake. However, if high-calorie additives such as sugar or creamer are added to coffee, or if coffee is consumed excessively—especially late at night and thereby affecting sleep—it may lead to excessive calorie intake, thus affecting body weight.
To avoid weight gain caused by coffee consumption, it is recommended to choose sugar-free or low-sugar coffee as much as possible, and to use minimal milk, sugar, or other coffee additives to reduce calorie intake. Coffee should be consumed in moderation, with daily caffeine intake not exceeding 300 mg, to avoid adverse effects caused by excessive intake. Drinking coffee before bedtime should also be avoided as much as possible, to prevent disturbances to sleep quality, which could in turn affect metabolism and appetite regulation.
