Here's what our in-house Nutritionist Brianna-lee has discovered, plus her hot tips for enjoying your beloved coffee without breaking your fast.
The Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
The advantages of intermittent fasting, and the benefits of coffee consumption go hand in hand. They have very similar and positive effects on our health and wellbeing goals. Although the study on caffeine intake during intermittent fasting is still in its early stages, what we do know is reassuring (yay!).
According to current research, here is what we know so far:
🔥Reduced Inflammation
Numerous studies have demonstrated that both coffee drinking, and intermittent fasting, lower inflammatory markers. Caffeine and fasting's combined effects may provide more potent anti-inflammatory effects.
🦸Increased Autophagy
Autophagy is the process through which the body breaks down old or damaged cells and regenerates new ones. This allows the body to repair and restore at the cellular level while also decreasing inflammation. Fasting and coffee consumption have both been linked to increased autophagy which may help the body fight aging, illness, and inflammation more effectively when combined. #superheropowers
⚡Boosted Metabolism
Caffeine and fasting both increase the body's metabolic rate, accelerating weight loss and encouraging fat burning.
🧠 Hello Ketosis
A recent study suggests that caffeine may encourage the production of ketone bodies in the brain, which is super helpful if you're on a ketogenic diet, or fasting to enter ketosis.
🍭Insulin Sensitivity
Caffeine and intermittent fasting can both be used to regulate insulin resistance, lower insulin levels, and minimise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to research.
Three Tips For Drinking Coffee Whilst Fasting
- The type of coffee you drink matters. If you add sugar, cream, or other calories to your coffee, it will break your fast. Black coffee, on the other hand, is calorie-free and will not break your fast.
- The amount of coffee you drink matters. If you drink more than 2-3 cups of black coffee per day, it may start to interfere with your fast. This is because caffeine can raise your metabolism and make it harder to burn fat.
- The purpose of your fast matters. If you are fasting for religious reasons, you may want to avoid coffee altogether. This is because coffee is considered a stimulant and may not be allowed during fasting periods.
Why Is Black Coffee Good For You?
Black coffee is a good source of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Black coffee is also a good source of magnesium. Magnesium is an important mineral that helps regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and mood. It is also involved in many other important bodily functions.
In addition to being okay to drink while fasting, black coffee is also good for your overall health. Here are some of the benefits of black coffee:
Coffee can help you lose weight
Studies have shown that coffee drinkers are more likely to be at a healthy weight than non-coffee drinkers. Coffee may help with weight loss by boosting your metabolism and suppressing your appetite.
Coffee can improve your cognitive function
Coffee can help you stay alert and focused, and it may also protect your brain from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Coffee can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes
Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-coffee drinkers. This is likely due to the antioxidants in coffee, which help to protect your cells from damage.
Coffee can protect your liver
Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. This is likely due to the antioxidants in coffee, which help to protect your liver from damage.
There is some evidence that coffee may help you lose weight. Caffeine can boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories. It can also help you feel less hungry, which can lead to you eating fewer calories overall.
A study published in the journal "Nutrition & Metabolism" found that people who drank coffee before breakfast burned more calories during the rest of the day than people who did not drink coffee. Another study, published in the journal "Appetite," found that people who drank coffee were more likely to lose weight and keep it off over a period of 12 weeks.
However, it is important to note that coffee is not a magic bullet for weight loss. It is still important to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Do's and don'ts of drinking coffee while fasting
✔️ Do: Drink Beforeyouspeak
Our Performance and Thermo Coffee range is popular among our customers for providing an energy boost during intermittent fasting. Both of these blends are exceptionally low in calories and contain only our Premium Arabica Coffee, which has been combined with vitamins, minerals, and superfoods. If you choose to avoid sweeteners during your fast, we also offer an Unsweetened flavour in all of our blends.
✔️ Do: Work with your energy levels
Depending on what fast you are doing, try to consume your coffee when there’s a dip in your natural energy levels. We recommend between 10am and 12 noon or 2pm and 5pm.
✖️ Don't: Add milk or cream
Adding milk to your coffee will add calories, triggering your food sensing pathways and, you guessed it, breaking your fast.
✖️ Don't: Add sugar
We want to keep sugar out of our cup because this will cause you to break your fast. Furthermore, increased sugar intake spikes insulin resistance and we don’t want that!
The burning question has been answered, it is totally OK to drink your beloved coffee while fasting! In fact, it may also increase the benefits of intermittent fasting, such as lowering inflammation and improving cognitive performance.
Disclaimer: As with any significant dietary or lifestyle change, always speak with your General Practitioner before beginning any fasting regimen.
Written by: BYS Nutritionist Brianna-lee Schiefelbein