When it tends to come to intermittent fasting and coffee, there are many different points of view. Some people say you should never drink coffee while fasting; others say that it’s okay as long as you time it correctly. So, can you combine intermittent fasting and coffee? The answer is yes – but only if you do it the right way. We worked with Glasshouse Mountains Coffee to figure out how to combine intermittent fasting and coffee healthily and effectively.
What Exactly an Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a Kind of eating pattern in which you alternate between eating and fasting periods. Many different ways to do intermittent fasting, but the most common is the 16/8 method. It involves fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window. So, if you ate your last meal at 8 pm, you wouldn’t eat again until noon the next day.
During the fasting period, you can drink water, black coffee, and other calorie-free beverages. However, many people choose not to drink coffee during intermittent fasting because they think it will break their fast. Technically, it does – but only temporarily.
When you drink coffee, caffeine enters your bloodstream and gives you a boost of energy. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases your heart rate and blood pressure. It also triggers the release of stored glucose in your liver, giving you an immediate energy source.
However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t drink coffee while fasting. The effects of caffeine only last for a few hours, which means that it won’t interfere with your fast for the rest of the day. In fact, drinking coffee while fasting can actually help you to stick to your fasting schedule.
How to Drink Coffee While Intermittent Fasting
If you want to combine intermittent fasting and coffee, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Here are our top tips:
Drink Only Black Coffee
When you’re intermittent fasting, you should only drink black coffee. It means no sugar, cream, or any other added ingredients. Sugar is a source of calories, which will break your fast. The cream is also high in fat, which can slow down the rate at which your body burns fat.
So, stick to black coffee while you’re intermittent fasting. If you need to sweeten it, use a calorie-free sweetener like stevia.
Drink Coffee Early in the Day
Suppose you’re going to drink coffee while intermittent fasting; it’s best to do it early in the day. This is because caffeine has a half-life of about five hours. So it takes five hours for your body to eliminate half of the caffeine you consume.
So, if you drink coffee at 8 am, there will still be half the amount of caffeine in your system at 1 pm. It means that it’s best to drink coffee in the morning so that the effects of caffeine will wear off when you break your fast in the evening.
Don’t Overdo It
It’s important not to overdo it when you’re drinking coffee while intermittent fasting. Too much caffeine can cause side effects like anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. So, stick to one or two cups of coffee per day.
The Benefits of Combining Intermittent Fasting and Coffee
There are many benefits to combining intermittent fasting and coffee. Here are a few of many:
Weight Loss
One of the primary benefits of combining intermittent fasting and coffee is weight loss. Intermittent fasting is a dietary strategy that involves cycling between periods of fasting and eating. Research has shown that intermittent fasting can help to boost metabolism and promote weight loss. When combined with coffee, which has been shown to increase metabolism, intermittent fasting can be an even more effective weight loss tool.
Improved Mental Focus
Intermittent fasting and coffee can also help to improve mental focus. Caffeine has been shown to improve mental alertness and focus, while intermittent fasting has been shown to improve cognitive function. When the two are combined, they can provide an even greater boost to mental focus and concentration.
Enhanced Physical Performance
Combining intermittent fasting and coffee can also enhance physical performance. Caffeine has been proven to improve physical performance by raising adrenaline levels and increasing blood flow to the muscles. Intermittent fasting has also improved physical performance by reducing inflammation and improving recovery time. When the two are combined, they can provide an even greater boost to physical performance.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many benefits to combining intermittent fasting and coffee. So if you’re looking for a way to boost weight loss, improve mental focus, or enhance physical performance, consider adding coffee to your intermittent fasting routine. Just drink it black and limit yourself to one or two cups daily. Following these tips can safely and effectively combine intermittent fasting and coffee.