So it turns out that, despite not setting foot in a gym for a good five years now, I’ve been engaged in some very healthy weight loss practices.

And it’s all thanks to that glorious cup of morning coffee, which also saves lives around the office.

Scientists – bless them – have conducted the first-ever study in humans that shows that coffee could be the secret to fighting obesity.

According to IOL, the study found that a cup of coffee can stimulate “brown fat” cells which generate heat by burning excess calories.

The brown fat cells, which scientists initially thought were unique to babies and hibernating animals, also exist in varying levels in adults.

Those with a lower body mass index (BMI) tend to have a higher percentage of brown fat.

Let’s go over to MedicalNewsToday for the science behind the research:

Brown fat — which people sometimes refer to as “good” fat — helps the body turn nutrients into energy and generate heat.

Unlike brown fat, another type of fat that scientists call white or yellow fat results from the excessive storage of calories.

Whereas medical experts associate white fat with obesity and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, brown fat may help people stay lean and maintain a healthy body weight.

For the finer details of the study, go here.

The bottom line is that turning white fat into brown fat could be the key to combatting obesity, and coffee is the key.

Prof. Symonds and team carried out both in vitro and in vivo experiments to see the effect of caffeine on brown fat heat generation, or thermogenesis.

First, they exposed fat-storing cells, or adipocytes — that they derived from stem cells — to caffeine. They noticed that caffeine exposure raised levels of UCP1 and boosted the cells’ metabolism.

They then tested their findings on human beings by giving them coffee and measuring the results using thermo-imaging.

“From our previous work,” explains Prof. Symonds, “we knew that brown fat is mainly located in the neck region, so we were able to image someone straight after they had a drink to see if the brown fat got hotter.”

The results were positive, proving that coffee is an effective tool in weight loss management.

This is good news for anyone who, like me, was looking for another excuse to treat themselves to a perfectly brewed cup of coffee (or three) a day.

If you’re on the hunt for something delicious, I recommend Importers Coffee – the oldest coffee brand in the Western Cape.

The company imports top quality coffees from the world’s leading equatorial coffee-growing regions, and they use the same coffee-brewing methods that have made them such a favourite over the years.

If you’re in the ‘burbs, swing by their famous shop in Newlands, and townies can grab a cup at Café du Cap (113 Loop Street).

You can also make Importers part of your early morning weight loss routine by stocking up on their pods and beans to use at home.

Hey, why not swap out that bulky treadmill you never use for a stylish coffee machine? Sorted.

Head here and follow the simple instructions to stand a chance to win one, complete with 100 coffee pods.

[sources:iol&mnt]