Q. I’m an office worker who can't survive without caffeine. How can I follow a 'coffee diet' healthily without harming my body?

Coffee is a double-edged sword. To enjoy it healthily from a TKM perspective, keep these four points in mind. First, consider 'Stomach Heat' (Wi-yeol) and always drink coffee after meals. Drinking on an empty stomach accumulates excessive heat in the stomach, which can trigger 'false hunger' and lead to overeating. Second, monitor symptoms of 'Upper Body Heat' (Sang-yeol). Since coffee draws energy upward, those prone to facial flushing or dry mouth may experience worsened heat symptoms and insomnia, which hinders fat loss. Third, do not forget to replenish 'Jinaek' (vital fluids). Coffee’s strong diuretic effect dries out the body's essential moisture, leading to the stagnation of 'Dameum' (phlegm-rheum or metabolic waste). Aim to drink two cups of water for every cup of coffee. Lastly, limit caffeine after 2 PM. Sleep deprivation increases stress hormones that promote fat accumulation. Switching to decaf in the afternoon is a shortcut to successful weight loss as it allows the body to properly discharge waste products during rest.