Anne Iarchy is a Personal Trainer who provides 1 to 1 and group sessions to help her clients bring exercise into their everyday lives for weight loss, inch loss, and fat loss.  Here she advises on whether coffee and weight loss go together ... 

"I read a few articles, and heard a few clients saying that having a cup of coffee before their workout helps them performing better during their workout, hence helps their weight loss.

Is this really true?

Some research has shown that drinking a cup of coffee one hour before a workout can give you more energy. Hence you'll perform better. However, does it really help with weight loss?

The answer to that is NO.

Coffee contains three stimulants, caffeine, theobromine and theophylline.

Caffeine creates a fast rise in blood sugar level, giving you that "boost" or that "high" feeling. But is also quickly followed by a drop in blood sugar level. Which contributes to the swings you feel in mood and energy. Actually very similar to the effect of sugar. It puts pressure on the adrenal system and in the long run can contribute to contracting type 2 diabetes.

Caffeine also has a diuretic effect, which flushes out vital nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. So if you drink your coffee straight after a meal, even if you do eat a healthy balanced meal, your body will most probably not be able to take in the vitamins and minerals that were part of what you've eaten.

So drinking caffeinated drinks will actually deplete your body from important nutrients in the long run. Knowing that you do use nutrients up during your day-to-day activity, if the stores aren't replenished, you will be more liable to diseases and illnesses.

And although initially you might find coffee to be an appetite suppressant. Over the course of time, it actually leads to cravings. Cravings again very similar to those felt by people eating lots of sugary and processed food.

You will also find caffeine in tea, chocolate, some soft drinks and energy drinks. Some "diet" pills and teas generally also contain caffeine, so be careful when buying those supposedly miracle weight loss solutions. They are not good for your health in the long run.

Now you might ask, what about decaffeinated drinks?

They might not contain caffeine, but still contain theobromine and theophylline. Two chemicals that disturb normal sleep patterns. Having disturbed sleeping patterns has been shown as leading to weight gain, as it stresses the body in general.

On a more social level, coffee is socially connected to rituals that involve eating. Be it with a muffin at breakfast on-the-go, a coffee break generally is associated with a biscuit, or meeting friends for coffee generally goes hand in hand with having a slice of cake.

So if you want to lose weight, avoid coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks, caffeinated soft drinks and anything that contains caffeine.

Replace it with water, herbal tea, or other non caffeine containing natural drinks.

Your body will only thank you in the long run."

If you want to find out more about Anne Iarchy and her weight loss and exercise sessions phone her on 07880 627 944 or email anne@barnetpersonaltrainer.co.uk.

Anne Iarchy - Personal Trainer in Barnet and North London

www.barnetpersonaltrainer.co.uk