Caffeine (cont.)
Does caffeine help with weight loss?
The weight-loss industry is estimated to
be a $50 billion a year industry. Many people are looking for a way to get their
piece of the money-making pie without a lot of credibility behind what they are
promoting. The supplement industry is constantly promoting a new product to
enhance weight loss by increasing satiety or burning fat. The claims are
convincing, but the research backing many products is often lacking. To make
matters worse, supplements often contain combinations of ingredients in the
hopes of enhancing each one's effect without safety or efficacy tests. Caffeine
is one of the ingredients now being included in many of the weight-loss
supplements. It's added for its energy enhancement, appetite suppressant, and
"fat-burning" properties.
The scientific evidence about caffeine as a weight-control agent is mixed. In
a study done to monitor the impact of a green tea-caffeine combination on weight
loss and maintenance, participants were divided into those who consume low
levels of caffeine (<300 mg/day) and high-caffeine consumers (>300 mg/day).
Weight loss was significantly higher in the high-caffeine consumption group, but
weight maintenance was higher in the low-caffeine consumption group. The
conclusion was that the caffeine was related to greater weight loss, higher thermogenesis, and fat oxidation, while the tea was responsible for the greater
weight maintenance. Other studies have stated that caffeine actually contributes
to weight gain by increasing stress hormones. It appears that caffeine's role in
weight loss is as inconclusive as the efficacy of the majority of weight-loss
supplements on the market.
Is caffeine safe during pregnancy?
There is no disputing the importance of
proper nutrition during pregnancy. There is some dispute about the safety of
caffeine during this time. One concern is that caffeine may lead to
miscarriages. In a study following 431 pregnant women, no relationship between
caffeine consumption up to 300 mg/day and adverse pregnancy outcomes was found.
Another study examined the relationship between caffeine consumption and
spontaneous abortions in over 5,000 women and found no association. A recent study found that caffeine can reach the follicular fluid of the ovaries. It also found that an increase in coffee consumption was associated with an increased number of aborted pregnancies.
On the other side, research has also shown no clear relationship between caffeine intake and
fertility and birth defects. Even with this evidence, everyone agrees that there is a limit for how much caffeine can be consumed during pregnancy. The majority of the subjects in the studies were consuming small to moderate amounts of caffeine. It is difficult to accurately test the effects of very high intakes of caffeine without risking the health of the mother and child.. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a caffeine limit of the equivalent of
one to two cups of coffee per day during pregnancy.
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