Coffee Consumption Linked to Lower Body Fat and Increased Muscle Mass, Study Suggests

Regular coffee consumption may be associated with reduced body fat and increased muscle mass, according to a study conducted in Finland. The research, published by the University of Oulu, analyzed the health and lifestyle habits of over 2,200 participants.

Participants completed questionnaires detailing their health status, diet, physical activity, medications, diagnosed conditions, and daily coffee intake, which ranged from none to at least five cups per day. Researchers did not specify cup sizes, brewing methods, or the addition of milk or sugar in their analysis. Following an overnight fast and abstaining from coffee, the team assessed participants' body fat and muscle mass. They also collected blood samples and administered a glucose drink to monitor glucose metabolism over two hours.

The findings indicated that individuals who consumed more coffee tended to have lower total body fat, greater skeletal muscle mass, and less visceral fat—fat surrounding internal organs that is linked to cardiovascular disease and inflammatory skin conditions. However, the study does not definitively prove that coffee directly causes fat reduction or muscle gain.

Researchers observed a link between higher coffee intake and lower levels of three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Chronically elevated levels of these amino acids are associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk of diabetes. While lower BCAA levels can be part of a healthy metabolic pattern, the study did not establish that coffee specifically caused these reductions.

Some less favorable health outcomes were also noted in relation to coffee consumption. Specifically, men who drank more coffee exhibited higher levels of certain cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein particles and lower levels of omega-3 fats. Additionally, the glucose response to coffee consumption differed between genders, with men showing lower fasting insulin and overall insulin levels, while women displayed weaker associations between coffee intake and glucose control.