"The Coffee Loophole" for Weight Loss vs. Similar Drinks
The "coffee loophole" refers to drinking coffee infused with ingredients like lemon juice, honey, and cinnamon to reduce hunger and potentially support weight loss. Advocates claim this mix “floods the body with metabolism-boosting properties.”
Coffee Loophole for Weight Loss vs. Similar Drinks
The coffee loophole can be a powerful tool for weight loss. Coffee's metabolism-boosting properties work in tandem with lemon and cinnamon to create a comprehensive weight-loss tool.
Other drinks have shown similar weight loss benefits, so let's explore their potential benefits.
1. Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof coffee is an interesting coffee drink with an impressive cult following. The idea originated in the Himalayas and East Africa, where Dave Asprey learned about it before spreading it around the world.
The idea is simple — add butter or MCT oil (medium-chain triglyceride oil) to coffee to provide more energy in the form of fat. It was originally invented to combat the intense cold of the Himalayas but is now principally popular among followers of the keto diet.
There are many purported benefits of bulletproof coffee, though some are exaggerated. However, some are conclusively backed by hard science. For instance, bulletproof coffee may suppress appetite and increase resting metabolic rate. In some people, these benefits may aid weight loss. However, bulletproof coffee is intensely calorific due to the addition of fat, so it may not be as effective as other methods unless you strictly follow a keto plan — making it one of the best keto coffee options for those committed to that lifestyle.
2. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is a popular alternative to coffee and a popular herbal tea in its own right. It’s unclear how much of a benefit to weight loss ginger tea may have, though ginger has long been used in many herbal remedies and could have a secondary effect to aid weight loss.
For instance, it’s known to effectively reduce nausea, which could help those who feel nauseous during periods of hunger when dieting. One other potential benefit is that ginger has been shown to aid healthy blood sugar management in patients with type 2 diabetes, potentially helping them lose weight.
3. Lemon Water
Lemon water is another alternative to coffee, and it’s popularly considered to aid with weight loss.
Little direct evidence supports this theory, but drinking more water before eating could help people feel full more quickly. Having lemon in the water is unlikely to impact this, but the fact that it’s a pleasant drink may make someone less likely to drink a high-calorie alternative.
If you’re drinking a ton of high-sugar sodas, lemon water is a great substitute, giving you some flavor for your hydration.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is a popular coffee replacement since it’s a hot, mildly caffeinated drink. While the two drinks don’t taste very similar, they both offer a pleasant caffeine hit.
The health benefits of green tea are seemingly endless, with many different wellness influencers urging their followers to drink green tea and experience it.
Regarding weight loss, some very promising science links green tea to fat-burning. Across several different demographics, the study found that regular green tea consumption could aid fat-burning in different types of exercise. This could make it a useful tool to increase the impact of exercise on weight loss.