While there’s constant debate about whether coffee or green tea is better for you, both beverages have been found to help their consumers stay in shape.
Such seems to be the case for all caffeinated beverages, in fact: According to a study published in BMJ Journals, people with more caffeine in their blood tend to have lower body weight, less body fat and a 19% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes than people with lower caffeine levels.
The researchers also found that nearly half—or 43%—of caffeine’s effect on diabetes risk was specifically due to caffeine’s impact on lowering body weight.
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This study didn’t specify whether participants’ caffeine came from coffee, tea, or something else entirely, but its findings do support what the nutrition community has long understood about caffeinated beverages: They really can help boost cardiovascular and bariatric health.
“Caffeine stimulates adrenaline which can help break down fat, decrease appetite and improve physical activity,” Kathleen Moore, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells Parade.
As for which caffeine source can have the biggest impact on reducing type 2 diabetes? That depends, though studies suggest that coffee without added sugar, high-fat cream, and artificial flavorings or sweeteners likely have the strongest impact due to its higher caffeine content than beverages like tea, says Moore: “Unfortunately, green tea does not impact athletic performance as significantly as coffee.”
Related: ‘I’m an RD—Here’s Why I Tell My Clients to Have At Least a Can of This Beverage Daily’
Translation? The more caffeine, the theoretically more helpful a drink will be in aiding weight loss—though it’s important to note that moderation is still key.
“An athlete may enjoy the benefits of caffeine to improve alertness and performance, while spikes in caffeine may be too much for someone with hypertension,” Moore points out. In that case, you might want to opt for something like green tea.
“In my practice, I see participants losing weight by swapping sugary drinks with coffee, tea, and/or water,” Moore adds. Plus, some preliminary results show increased leptin (fullness hormone) and increased visceral fat breakdown with green tea, so you definitely have options.
Related: Drinking This Delicious Beverage Could Help You Burn More Calories During a Workout, Science Shows
No matter your drink of choice, just try to keep your daily caffeine intake under 400 milligrams, since drinking more than that is associated with health risks like heart issues, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, Moore adds. “This temporary boost in energy can bring on a ‘crash’ for some as the caffeine wears off.”
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Sources
- Kathleen Moore, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- Appraisal of the causal effect of plasma caffeine on adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease: two sample mendelian randomisation study. BMJ Journals.
- The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
- Green Tea Extract has a Protective Effect on Leptin and Lipid Profile Levels Due to the Induction of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate. Medical Archives.