Previous Performance Tips have featured reports on the benefits of caffeine on endurance performance, recovery, and outcomes in a number of chronic diseases. Because of caffeine’s effect on endurance and recovery one could logically conclude that caffeine would positively improve lean body mass by raising the training level. However a recent study, using CDC data, analyzed the relationship between the number of cups of coffee drank per day and both total body fat percentage and abdominal fat.
The researchers found that women, age 20 to 44, who drank 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day had 3.4% less abdominal fat than non-coffee drinkers. Women, aged 45 to 69, who drank four or more cups of coffee per day had 4.1% less abdominal fat than non-coffee drinkers. Women of all ages who drank at least two to three cups of coffee per day, had 2.8% less total body fat than non-coffee drinkers.
The effect was seen whether women were smokers or had other chronic diseases. Coffee's effect in men was far less. The reduction in total body fat percent was 1.8% or 35% less than that seen in women. What was most interesting, is the effect on body fat reduction that occurred whether caffeinated or non-caffeinated coffee was consumed. This suggests that there are other agents in coffee that may have an impact on fat storage. Although additional research needs to be done, these results suggest that coffee should be integrated into a healthy diet strategy.