Caffeine & Its Role in Fat Loss

Caffeine is the most important ingredient in all stimulant-based pre-workout and fat-burner supplements considered for its ergogenic, performance-enhancing effects. We all are aware of the impact Caffeine has on one's energy levels & its ability to kick us out of the lazy mornings & keep us wide awake during long days of work. But this article will discuss the reason why it is so “important” and its effects on work out performance and how it induces fat loss. We will also review the right timing to consume Caffeine and its dosing to reap the maximum benefits.

How Caffeine Affects Exercising?

Apart from being a well-documented brain stimulant, Caffeine is known to have an ergogenic i.e , performance-enhancing effect. During exercise, Caffeine stimulates hormones, most notably the hormones epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. With an enhanced level of adrenaline in the bloodstream, more stored fat breaks into fatty acids. The process allows the body to utilize more fat as an energy resource and does not deplete other energy resources such as glycogen. By sparing glycogen for future use, an athlete can perform physically longer before fatigue sets in. Studies have shown that an hour after consuming 330 mg of Caffeine, cyclists were able to 20% further compared to ingesting no caffeine at all. Also, elite athletes performing in high-intensity sports have had improved performances post caffeine ingestion.

How Caffeine Induces Fat Loss?

A study of eighteen thousand individuals showed that regular Caffeine users weigh less than non-Caffeine users. There are multiple reasons why this happens: -

• The rate at which you burn calories while resting is known as Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). Caffeine increases your resting metabolic rate, i.e., raises your energy expenditure by 3-11 %. Therefore, higher your RMR, the more comfortable it gets to lose weight & burn more fat.

• It increases the number of fat cells that you have in your bloodstream. Caffeine splits up your stored fat into these free fatty acid molecules so that they can be burned inside the muscle tissue while you exercise. Your body naturally tends to use sugar or carbohydrates for fuel while working out. Consuming Caffeine pre-workout will pivot your body away from burning sugar & instead favor the burning of these free fatty acids. This process is called lipolysis.

• Caffeine helps activate the Hormone Sensitive Lipase (HSL) that allows in snipping up the stored glycerides inside the lipid droplet of your fat tissues, resulting in more fat loss.

• No Caffeine will not magically burn all the fat. Caffeine is just a cherry on the cake that acts as a stimulant to burn that excess fat faster and just like any other supplement, it works only when it is used in conjunction with a workout plan and a healthy diet.