Why Coffee Affects Metabolism

The location of fat is important

Beethoven was allegedly very exacting in his preparation of coffee. Maridav/Shutterstock

Researchers have discovered that the amount of caffeine in one standard cup of coffee triggers activation of brown adipose tissue and greater energy burn.

• Researchers found the caffeine in one standard cup of coffee stimulated brown fat activity, burning more energy and potentially improving insulin sensitivity. These activities may help improve weight management
• Daily coffee drinkers also enjoy greater metabolism of fatty acids and a downregulation of the endocannabinoid system, which regulates cognition, immunity, sleep and appetite, having the opposite effect in the body than the ingestion of cannabis
• Your body has white fat and brown fat cells; the white cells may be programmed to brown cells when the programming is not naturally suppressed by a special protein. Conversion of white to brown fat is known as “beige” or “brite” fat
• The location of fat is important, since subcutaneous fat just under the skin is not as dangerous as visceral fat found deep in your abdomen around your organs. You may increase the activity of the brown fat you already have through exercise, exposure to cold and sleeping in a cool environment

Many people struggle with obesity and being overweight. According to the CDC,[1] the prevalence of both conditions was measured nationally in 2015-2016, finding 71.6% of the U.S. population were either overweight or obese. By 2022 that number had escalated to 74%.[2] Although some corporations, like Coca-Cola[3] propose you may out-exercise a poor diet, research has found it is a combination of a healthy diet and exercise that has the greatest benefit.[4]