Many people drink diet coffee or Americanos while trying to lose weight. How exactly do these affect the body and weight loss?
Diet coffee primarily works through caffeine and chlorogenic acid. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system to increase basal metabolic rate and promote fat oxidation. From a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective, coffee's bitter taste facilitates the 'descending of Qi' (降氣), which helps eliminate bodily waste. However, individuals with weak digestive systems must be cautious, as it can lead to adverse health effects.
In my clinical experience, I've seen many patients suffer from gastric discomfort by over-consuming coffee to combat fatigue. There are clear reasons why diet coffee or Americanos appear to aid weight loss. From a Western medical perspective, caffeine triggers adrenaline secretion, which raises body temperature and metabolic rate to burn more energy. Chlorogenic acid also helps by slowing down sugar absorption. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), coffee is characterized by its bitter taste (苦味) and warm property (溫性). The bitter taste is excellent for 'descending Qi' (降氣), which clears stagnant energy. Consequently, patients with edema or Qi Stagnation (氣滯) often feel a temporary improvement in circulation. However, excessive consumption can lead to Spleen Deficiency (脾虛). When individuals with a cold or weak digestive system force their metabolism higher, they fail to absorb essential nutrients and instead accumulate Phlegm-fluid (痰飮, pathological waste). If coffee causes insomnia or palpitations, it is a warning sign from your body. Rather than squeezing your metabolism to its limit, you should examine why the balance of your Zang-fu organs (오장육부) is disrupted. Restoring that balance is the true start of a sustainable diet without the yo-yo effect.
Clinician review