Coffee consumption linked to higher muscle mass and lower visceral fat

A new study involving over 2,000 participants from the ‘Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966’ has identified correlations between regular coffee consumption and improved body composition. Researchers found that individuals who consumed more coffee tended to have a higher muscle mass and lower levels of both total body fat and visceral fat, despite having similar body mass indices (BMI) to those who drank less coffee.

In men specifically, the research published in the European Journal of Nutrition noted a relationship between increased coffee intake and higher total testosterone levels. However, the study also observed an increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which affects how testosterone is distributed and transported in the blood, meaning it does not necessarily equate to higher levels of testosterone available for tissue use.

Lead author and biological scientist Luca Verroest suggested that caffeine may stimulate energy expenditure and fat burning, potentially leading to higher calorie expenditure. Additionally, polyphenols in coffee, such as chlorogenic acid, may influence blood sugar levels and fat metabolism. The study emphasizes that these findings show correlations rather than direct causation.