Examine publishes rigorous, unbiased analysis of the latest and most important nutrition and supplementation studies each month, available to all Examine Members. Click here to learn more or log in.
Study under review: The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Introduction
Overweight and obesity are leading risk factors[1] for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among other health conditions. As you can see in Figure 1, weight loss is one of the most efficacious interventions for reducing their risk. For example, in people who are obese, weight loss of one kilogram is associated with a 16% lower risk[2] of developing diabetes.
Lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise, are leading interventions for promoting weight loss. In some contexts, they can be more effective than pharmaceutical interventions. For example, in the Diabetes Prevention Project[3], intensive lifestyle modification of non-diabetic adults reduced the incidence of developing diabetes by 58% compared to no intervention, while metformin therapy reduced the incidence by 31%.
In addition to dietary modification and exercise, there are other non-drug approaches that may augment weight loss. Caffeine has been investigated as a weight loss aid for decades due to its ability to increase energy expenditure[4] and fatty acid oxidation[5]. There have been several randomized controlled trials[6] that have studied the effect of caffeine on weight loss. However, there have been no systematic reviews or meta-analyses aggregating their data. The present study was a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis examining the effect of caffeine on bodyweight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat.
Weight loss is one of the most effective therapies for reducing the risk of obesity related diseases. Caffeine has been investigated as a non-pharmaceutical weight loss aid in numerous randomized controlled trials. The present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of caffeine on bodyweight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat.
Who and what was studied?
What were the findings?
What does this study really tell us?
The big picture
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know?
Other Articles in Issue #50 (December 2018)
-
Interview: Kevin Klatt, Ph.D. & Katherine Pett, MS, RDN, LDN
We chat with Kevin and Katherine about their experience podcasting and cover some possible pitfalls of n-of-one nutritional experiments.
-
For weight maintenance, is low-carb king?
According to the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity, refined carbs make more insulin which leads to more fat down the road. This study aimed to test this model.
-
Can omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy affect growth and development in children?
This secondary analysis of a large and long trial found some promising results.
-
Ashwagandha: can it improve strength and body composition in resistance-trained men?
This study aimed to find out if the herb ashwagandha pairs well with resistance training in men.
-
Mini: Which types of supplements lead the pack for serious adverse events in the U.S.?
Many supplements have some side effects, but there are a small handful that can cause more trouble than others. We summarize the findings of recent research taking a look at the worst offenders.
-
Too much of a good thing: folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation and cancer risk in the elderly
When researchers looked at how B12 and folic acid affect osteoporosis in the elderly, they didn't find a strong positive effect. They did, however, notice an uptick in cancer rate. This study took a deeper look at the matter.
-
Spirulina: A weight loss aid?
Spirulina and exercise are both thought to help shed some pounds. How do they work in combination?
