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The Science Behind Weight Loss Enzyme Coffee: Does It Really Work?

Dan

By: Dan

Updated on: 3/11/2024

The Science Behind Weight Loss Enzyme Coffee: Does It Really Work?

Weight loss enzyme coffee has taken over TikTok and other social media platforms recently, as weight-loss supplements and natural remedies tend to do. But I wanted to know if it REALLY works, so I looked at the science behind enzyme coffee. In this guide, I’ll explain why weight loss enzyme coffee is severely overhyped…but also how it actually could help you lose weight.

What Is Enzyme Coffee?

Enzyme coffee is regular coffee that has been infused with additional enzymes, often sourced from green coffee beans in the form of green coffee extract, or from fungi or other plants.

The main enzymes added are proteases, which break down proteins, and lipases, which break down fats. Proponents of the new trend claim that by adding these digestive enzymes to coffee, it helps your body better digest and absorb nutrients from the coffee and other foods while also boosting metabolism.

The most popular enzyme coffees contain a blend of proteases like bromelain from pineapples and papain from papayas, as well as lipases like amylase. Many brands also add extra ingredients like cinnamon, Garcinia cambogia, dandelion root, guarana, and green tea extract.

The general idea is that by adding fat- and protein-digesting enzymes to coffee, it helps your body more efficiently metabolize the nutrients for energy rather than storing them as fat. The extra ingredients like green tea and cinnamon also purportedly boost metabolism and fat burning.

Does Enzyme Coffee Really Work? What the SCIENCE Says

While all of that sounds great…I had to turn to science to see if it actually works. When looking at the evidence behind enzyme coffee, it’s important to evaluate each ingredient separately.

Starting with the enzymes, proteases like bromelain and papain are proteins that aid digestion of other proteins. They likely help somewhat in ensuring you properly digest and absorb amino acids from the coffee you’re drinking, and scientific studies do show that there are some benefits to consuming these compounds.[1]

However, your body naturally produces enough proteases on its own, so added enzymes may provide little extra benefit.

Lipases are similar; studies show that they help digest fats, so added lipases may assist in metabolizing small amounts of lipids in coffee.[2] They also help you absorb some fat soluble vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.[3]

But again, your body naturally produces adequate lipases. There’s no evidence that supplemental lipases boost fat burning enough to affect weight loss.

As for the other common ingredients in enzyme coffee like green tea, cinnamon, and dandelion, they have compounds that may slightly boost metabolism.[3, 4, 5] But the amounts in enzyme coffee are likely too low to have a meaningful effect.

Overall, enzyme coffee ingredients can help optimize digestion and absorption of coffee nutrients and compounds in some of the foods you eat. However, evidence is lacking on whether it actually helps you lose a significant amount of weight. The enzymes and other compounds simply aren’t present in high enough doses.

The bottom line: enzyme coffee is overhyped, and there’s no evidence to support the associated weight-loss claims.

Why Enzyme Coffee Might Actually Help You Lose Weight

While the enzymes in coffee are hyped for weight loss, the coffee in enzyme coffee may actually be helpful.

Black coffee contains chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant that may help reduce fat absorption and boost metabolism to a small extent.[6] Coffee also has caffeine, which is linked to increased fat burning and boosted metabolism for several hours after drinking.[7]

Coffee may promote weight loss through several mechanisms. The caffeine boosts thermogenesis, or heat production in the body, increasing calorie burn for a short time. Coffee may also suppress appetite and cravings, as well as have overarching antiobesity effects due to caffeine and chlorogenic acid.[8]

Additionally, the polyphenols in coffee may inhibit fat absorption by limiting pancreatic lipase enzymes.[9] Black coffee also has virtually no calories, making it an ideal low-calorie drink—a great alternative, in terms of calories, at least, to juices.

So in summary, plain black coffee is likely just as beneficial for weight loss as enzyme coffee, without the need to add anything extra. The natural chlorogenic acid and caffeine seem better suited to offer mild weight loss benefits than enzyme coffee.

Potential Side Effects of Drinking Enzyme Coffee

While enzyme coffee is likely safe for most people, there are some potential side effects to be aware of in case you do want to try it. These include the following.

  • Digestive issues: the added enzymes may irritate the gut in sensitive people, causing gas, bloating, diarrhea and indigestion. Reducing the amount of enzyme coffee may help.
  • Blood thinning: Bromelain and papain may act as natural blood thinners. People on blood thinner medication or with bleeding disorders should use enzyme coffee cautiously.
  • Allergic reactions: Some enzyme coffee ingredients like bromelain, papain, and cinnamon may trigger allergies in those with sensitivities. Discontinue use if any reactions develop.
  • Heartburn: Enzyme coffee is acidic, so it may aggravate heartburn or GERD. Limiting intake to 1 cup per day and avoiding it on an empty stomach can help.
  • Drug interactions: Enzyme coffee may interact with certain medications like antibiotics, sedatives, blood thinners, and diabetes drugs. Consult your doctor before using enzyme coffee if on medication.
  • Caffeine overdose: Excess enzyme coffee may cause jitters, insomnia, and anxiousness from too much caffeine. Limiting to 400mg of caffeine or less daily from all sources is probably best.

Overall, enzyme coffee is likely safe for healthy adults in moderation. But those with digestive issues, on medication, pregnant, or who have caffeine sensitivity should exercise caution. Speak with your doctor before trying it, and start slowly with a small amount to assess tolerance.

Where Can You Buy Enzyme Coffee?

There are a few brands that sell pre-made enzyme coffee, which you can pick up on Amazon:

You can also buy enzyme coffee supplements to add to your regular coffee:

Lastly, many natural grocers like Whole Foods sell digestive enzyme supplements that can be added to coffee like bromelain, papain, amylase, and lipase.

How Do You Make Enzyme Coffee?

Making enzyme coffee at home is simple:

  1. Brew coffee as normal, using your preferred beans and brew method. Black coffee is ideal.
  2. Add any natural sweeteners if desired, like monkfruit or stevia. Avoid sugar, which can contribute to weight gain.[10]
  3. Add digestive enzymes by opening capsules into the coffee or using liquid enzyme coffee supplements.
  4. Use a blender or immersion blender to emulsify the fats and enzymes into the coffee.
  5. Additional options are cinnamon for blood sugar control, cayenne pepper to boost metabolism, and collagen for gut health.
  6. Sweeteners like vanilla extract or sugar-free flavors can also customize the flavor.
  7. Drink immediately after blending while still hot. The enzyme coffee should have a creamy, frothy texture.

The suggested enzyme dose varies based on your product, so follow the directions included with your weight loss enzyme supplement. Start with less and work up as needed, based on the manufacturer’s directions.

Sources

  1. Kostiuchenko, O., Kravchenko, N., Markus, J., Burleigh, S., Fedkiv, O., Cao, L., … & Prykhodko, O. (2022). Effects of proteases from pineapple and papaya on protein digestive capacity and gut microbiota in healthy C57BL/6 mice and dose-manner response on mucosal permeability in human reconstructed intestinal 3D tissue model. Metabolites, 12(11), 1027.
  2. Pirahanchi, Y., & Sharma, S. (2019). Biochemistry, lipase.
  3. Loli, H., Kumar Narwal, S., Kumar Saun, N., & Gupta, R. (2015). Lipases in medicine: an overview. Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 15(14), 1209-1216.
  4. Gupta Jain, S., Puri, S., Misra, A., Gulati, S., & Mani, K. (2017). Effect of oral cinnamon intervention on metabolic profile and body composition of Asian Indians with metabolic syndrome: a randomized double-blind control trial. Lipids in health and disease, 16, 1-11.
  5. Kania-Dobrowolska, M., & Baraniak, J. (2022). Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) as a source of biologically active compounds supporting the therapy of co-existing diseases in metabolic syndrome. Foods, 11(18), 2858.
  6. Meng, S., Cao, J., Feng, Q., Peng, J., & Hu, Y. (2013). Roles of chlorogenic acid on regulating glucose and lipids metabolism: a review. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2013.
  7. Tabrizi, R., Saneei, P., Lankarani, K. B., Akbari, M., Kolahdooz, F., Esmaillzadeh, A., … & Asemi, Z. (2019). The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59(16), 2688-2696.
  8. Redondo-Puente, M., Mateos, R., Seguido, M. A., García-Cordero, J., González, S., Tarradas, R. M., … & Sarriá, B. (2021). Appetite and satiety effects of the acute and regular consumption of green coffee phenols and green coffee phenol/oat β-glucan nutraceuticals in subjects with overweight and obesity. Foods, 10(11), 2511.
  9. Farias-Pereira, R., Park, C. S., & Park, Y. (2019). Mechanisms of action of coffee bioactive components on lipid metabolism. Food Science and Biotechnology, 28, 1287-1296.
  10. Faruque, S., Tong, J., Lacmanovic, V., Agbonghae, C., Minaya, D. M., & Czaja, K. (2019). The dose makes the poison: sugar and obesity in the United States–a review. Polish journal of food and nutrition sciences, 69(3), 219.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is enzyme coffee safe?

Enzyme coffee is generally safe for most healthy adults when consumed in moderation (1 to 2 cups per day). The enzymes and ingredients like green tea extract are GRAS (generally recognized as safe). However, those with digestive issues may experience gas or diarrhea. People who are pregnant, have bleeding disorders, or take medication should exercise caution and consult a doctor before trying enzyme coffee due to potential complications and drug interactions.

How much weight can I lose drinking enzyme coffee?

There is limited evidence that enzyme coffee leads to significant weight loss. Any effects are mild, in the range of 2 to 5 pounds over 6 to 12 weeks with diet and exercise, and the loss more likely comes from the diet and exercise over the enzyme coffee. Enzyme coffee may help optimize nutrient absorption and provide a small metabolism boost, but weight loss still requires following a calorie-controlled diet and exercise program. For best results, incorporate enzyme coffee into a healthy lifestyle.

When should I drink enzyme coffee for weight loss?

The best time to drink enzyme coffee for weight loss is 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Having enzyme coffee before eating helps maximize absorption of the nutrients, enzymes, and caffeine on an empty stomach. The caffeine and chlorogenic acid also boost thermogenesis to some extent right after drinking, potentially priming your body to burn more fat with morning exercise. Aim to finish enzyme coffee at least 8 hours before bedtime to prevent issues with sleeping.