Does Coffee Help with Anxiety and Weight Loss?

For many of us, drinking coffee is part of our daily morning routine, leading to an interest regarding its health benefits.

Dr. Maya Rosman discusses how coffee affects the body. She explains that while coffee promotes alertness, it doesn’t necessarily cause nervousness. In fact, warm drinks in general- including coffee- can be calming. “Hot drinks are soothing and don’t cause anxiety, so it’s perfectly fine to drink coffee during stressful periods, as long as it’s in moderation,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, the recommended caffeine intake is up to 400 mg per day. One teaspoon of instant coffee contains about 50 mg of caffeine, meaning that up to eight cups a day are considered safe. However, brewed black coffee contains more caffeine, so it’s best to limit it to three to four cups per day.

As for anxiety, Dr. Rosman noted that coffee doesn’t affect everyone the same way and it depends on individual factors such as caffeine sensitivity and genetics. Some people may feel jittery or anxious after drinking coffee, while others may not feel any adverse effects at all.

Regarding weight loss, Dr. Rosman recommends warm drinks- especially those with milk- as a way to promote satiety. “Hot drinks with milk, including soy or almond milk, help you feel full for at least 20 minutes, which can reduce how much you eat,” she said. In this regard, instant coffee has an advantage because it can help curb appetite between meals.

Coffee can certainly be beneficial in some situations, but like anything, moderation is key. The right amount of caffeine can boost alertness and even support weight loss, as long as it’s consumed in reasonable quantities.