How much is too much

fromaquasar
fromaquasar Posts: 811 Member
edited September 22 in Food and Nutrition
Coffee?

I drink a cup a day on weekdays but have recently moved up to two. I know that coffee causes cortisol (the stress hormone that makes us store fat) so too much is no good, but a small amount will speed up you metabolism and is good for you. So I want to know how many cups is "too much" vs. a "small amount"?

Replies

  • Michelle_J
    Michelle_J Posts: 362 Member
    I'm interested in the answer to this as well. Most of my morning calories come from my coffee creamer. And I had no idea about the cortisol.
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    Exercise is a much better way to rev up your metabolism. Coffee not only stimulates cortisol production, it also dehydrates you and can be eat up too many calories depending on what you put in it. Our bodies don't need the caffeine, we can train ourselves to become "morning people" without it. Your much better off not drinking any coffee and getting in a quick cardio session to wake you up and get your metabolism going.
  • fromaquasar
    fromaquasar Posts: 811 Member
    I don't drink if because I want it to speed up my metabolism I drink it because I like it - it's one of my chosen vices so I'm not going to give it up :P But just need to keep it in check!
  • Tamishumate
    Tamishumate Posts: 1,171 Member
    I dont know, But I drink 3 cups before I even leave the house in the AM. I dont put lots of anything in it , so the calories are not a concern for me. :drinker:
  • JMun
    JMun Posts: 409
    Some days I drink 4 cups. Love the stuff. I use almond milk which cuts down on lots of cals.
  • SkierElle
    SkierElle Posts: 335
    When I drink it I usually just use like 2 oz of 1% milk. I try to not drink it everyday so I dont become attached, and just drink it for the flavor!! I think if you're having like 3 cups a day or more and think you *CAN'T* go a day without it or else you'll be miserable, then you need to cut back. other than that, its fine.
  • RDTaylor13
    RDTaylor13 Posts: 160
    I'll admit I am/was addicted to coffee, while driving tow truck I was up to 6 XL cups a day. but it wasn't the coffee that caused me to balloon up to the weight I was when I started on this site. it was my choice of food (mainly fast food) I still drink coffee (the only thing I haven't changed, and I've still been able to lose pounds and inches.
  • snobuny032
    snobuny032 Posts: 82
    I drink 4 cups in the mornings and sometimes on the weekend I have 6 lol
    There is NO way I can or will give up my coffee.. btw I drink it black :)
  • Bermudabarbie
    Bermudabarbie Posts: 568 Member
    I have 1 "Grande" size of black coffee (medium) and add about 2 creamers at Starbucks in the mornings. I drink that coffee for about 45 minutes. I sometimes have a second cup. That's it for the day. No coffee, tea or decaff after that morning start.
  • goron59
    goron59 Posts: 890 Member
    I have a couple of cups of (black, sugarless) filtered coffee in the morning, a couple of skinny double espresso machiatos at work (so just skimmed milk foam), and sometimes even a cup or two of filtered throughout the day/evening.

    I don't need it, although caffeine withdrawal is painful for a while, but I like it.

    Whilst it is a diarrhetic, it net hydrates (unless maybe you only have thick Turkish style coffee?)

    I'm not dead (yet) and am losing weight steadily at a healthy pace.

    As many people will say, it's not the coffee that's bad, it's the milk/cream/syrup/sugar, etc that goes it in!

    Edit: and it's certainly not in competition with a bit of cardio - my walk in the freezing rain this morning really woke me up :-)
  • dewoods
    dewoods Posts: 148
    I probably drink a "pot" of coffee each morning and have for years. I've done caf, decaf, and none with little difference. I do drink it black and do like to have an espresso with cream at times, but to the tune of only 40 calories. I continue to lose weight and agree that if you add a lot of sugar and creamers to your coffee you will gain weight drinking large quantities. I have heard it said many times that you can lose 5-10 pounds just by giving up coffee with mixers in it.
  • Valtishia
    Valtishia Posts: 811 Member
    Wow!! That explains alot!!

    I don't drink coffee cause I don't like the taste of it, but my husband drinks a whole friggin pot of it before he leaves for work every day and he has a hard time losing weight. In addition he drinks coffee at work all day too.

    I am however wayyyyy addicted to the smell of coffee. I love the smell of it when he brews it in the morning. When we are in the grocery store, in the coffee aisle where you get fresh beans, I always get hit with that smell on the way by and it just stops me dead in my tracks lol LOVE LOVE LOVE THE SMELL OF COFFEE!!!
  • mmellor
    mmellor Posts: 146
    "Daily use of coffee results in the secretion of more cortisol which increases the production of lactate. Studies so far suggest that high level of cortisol shrivel the division of the brain that is responsible for memory. High volume of this hormone affects your immune system and decreases your body’s power to resist infections. If you take more than 3 cups of coffee daily then it will result in the depletion of your adrenals. If the adrenal gland is over stimulated, it may result in fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, depression and a weakened immune system. Usually, caffeine stays in people’s system for about eight to thirty hours. The presence of caffeine in the system leads to the release of more glucose in to the blood stream followed by a stern fall in blood sugar. Coffee also provides more stress on your kidneys.

    Recent studies proved that there are some major health benefits in using tea daily. Green and black teas have 8 to 10 times antioxidant capacity when compared to fruits and vegetables. The possibility for heart disease and stroke is very less in people who use two or more cups of tea on regular basis. Black, green, iced and oolong teas are good for health. Adding too much of milk with tea is not good because this will reduce the antioxidant capacity."

    I hope this helps...I found it on a fitness website.
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    no plans to give up my coffee. I used to drink it all day. Now I might fill up my 24oz travel mug but rarely finish it. I also removed the sugar I used to put in it. 2 packets - 8 grams! Some days I have less than 12oz.

    There are also plenty of health benefits to coffee. Once again - moderation!
  • jennylynn84
    jennylynn84 Posts: 659
    According to good ole WebMD 1 cup of coffee a day can help prevent brain disorders. It's also good for your heart.

    Much like red wine, which also falls on the list of "good for your heart" the trick is AGAIN moderation. No one thing in moderation is going to destroy your chances of losing weight or anything else. Just watch how much crap you poor in your coffee. I use stevia and a 35-calorie per tablespoon liquid creamer. And I log it.

    I can agree that you shouldn't drink dozens of cups of coffee a day, but one or two in the morning isn't gonna kill you or prevent weight loss.
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    I drink 3 cups in the morning with low fat 1/2 & 1/2. Occasionally I will have decaf or 1/2 decaf 1/2 regular in the evenings again with the low fat 1/2 & 1/2. The low fat 1/2 & 1/2 has 25 cals per TWO tablespoons so I log at least 75 cals a day for the creamer. I have been losing at a steady pace, and have seen no adverse reactions. I used to drink a pot or more a day though when I was working. I am a coffee snob, and have no plans to stop my addiction. :tongue:
  • kellyjamespro
    kellyjamespro Posts: 88 Member
    Exercise is a much better way to rev up your metabolism. Coffee not only stimulates cortisol production, it also dehydrates you and can be eat up too many calories depending on what you put in it. Our bodies don't need the caffeine, we can train ourselves to become "morning people" without it. Your much better off not drinking any coffee and getting in a quick cardio session to wake you up and get your metabolism going.


    I am clicking the imaginary Thumbs Up Button on this comment!
  • hamiltonba
    hamiltonba Posts: 474 Member
    I didn't know coffee causes cortisol!
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
    Firstly - wheres 100% proof coffee causes ANYTHING bad?


    5 times a year there are stories that say coffee is either good or bad for you or better/worse than tea.

    I believe none of it and continue drinking my coffee
  • twinmom01
    twinmom01 Posts: 854 Member
    I don't drink if because I want it to speed up my metabolism I drink it because I like it - it's one of my chosen vices so I'm not going to give it up :P But just need to keep it in check!

    it is my main vice that I won't give up - I gave up soda and a majority of processed foods - but my coffee with creamer - nope...what i do is I don't allow myself to have a morning cup of coffee until i have drank 24 ounces of water (have a 24 ounce water bottle)...and I do have a serving of flavored creamer in my coffee.

    I try my best to stick to one cup a day....about 2x's a week I treat myself to an afternoon cup and 2-3 x's a month I go all whole hog and treat myself to a nice big Starbucks flavored latte.

    I would stick with one or two cups a day - especially if you do add creamer and whatnot - mainly because of the caffine
  • mysteria_
    mysteria_ Posts: 44 Member
    I love my coffee... usually have one cup a day. Yummy :)
  • mysteria_
    mysteria_ Posts: 44 Member
    According to good ole WebMD 1 cup of coffee a day can help prevent brain disorders. It's also good for your heart.

    Yes particularly the darker roasts! I usually pick the darkest roast I can :)
  • Meggles63
    Meggles63 Posts: 916 Member
    Firstly - wheres 100% proof coffee causes ANYTHING bad?


    5 times a year there are stories that say coffee is either good or bad for you or better/worse than tea.

    I believe none of it and continue drinking my coffee

    ^^^THIS!!
  • Jovialation
    Jovialation Posts: 7,632 Member
    THANK YOU!
    haha
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