A new study led by SUNY University at Buffalo researcher Leah Panek-Shirley found that after drinking a small amount of caffeine, participants consumed 10% less at a breakfast buffet, but this effect did not persist throughout the day and had no impact on perceptions of their appetites.
This study suggests caffeine has weak, transient effects on energy intake and doesn’t support it as an effective appetite suppressant. Image credit: Rita E.
“Caffeine is frequently added to dietary supplements with claims that it suppresses appetite and facilitates weight loss,” Dr. Panek-Shirley said.
“Previous research has speculated that caffeine speeds metabolism or affects brain chemicals that suppress appetite.”
“In addition, epidemiological evidence suggests that regular caffeine consumers have a lower body mass index (BMI) than non-consumers.”
“The purpose of our study was to determine whether caffeine can in fact be linked to reduced food intake or suppressed appetite, and if the results vary by BMI.”
Fifty healthy adults (aged 18-50 years, 42% male) visited the lab weekly over a month to participate in the study.
Each time, they were asked to drink juice with added caffeine that was either equivalent to consumption of four ounces (1 mg/kg) or eight ounces (3 mg/kg) of coffee, or no coffee as a placebo dose. 30 min later, participants were instructed to eat as much or as little as they wanted of a hearty breakfast buffet.
The researchers asked participants to document their intake and appetite at each interval.
They determined that after drinking the juice with 1 kg/mg of caffeine, participants consumed about 70 fewer calories than they did after drinking juice with 3 mg/kg or no added caffeine.
After reviewing what the participants ate for the rest of each study day, they found the small decrease in intake did not persist.
Participants compensated for the reduced intake at breakfast later in the day. In addition, there were no differences in reported appetite associated with the caffeine doses.
Finally, their individual BMIs had no effect on their food intake or appetite at all three caffeine levels.
“This study, by nature of its rigorous design, reinforces the importance of good eating habits and not relying on unsupported weight loss aids or unhealthy practices,” said co-author Professor Carol DeNysschen, also from SUNY Buffalo State College.
The results were published recently in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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Leah M. Panek-Shirley et al. Caffeine Transiently Affects Food Intake at Breakfast. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, published online July 19, 2018; doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2018.05.015
