A ‘coffee loophole’ is being touted as a weight loss hack, promising to curb your appetite and speed up fat burning if you act swiftly. The ‘Seven Second Coffee Loophole’ suggests that drinking coffee within seven seconds of feeling hungry can trick your brain into feeling full, thus reducing snacking and calorie intake.
The caffeine in the coffee is believed to deceive your hunger hormones, making this method particularly effective during intermittent fasting periods. The quick consumption is said to prevent blood sugar spikes that could disrupt the benefits of fasting.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting this trend, it has gained traction on social media, with influencers promoting the addition of supplements such as chromium, green tea extract, chlorogenic acid and L-carnitine to the coffee for enhanced effects.
These supplements are readily available in health stores and online. While the trend purports to be novel, coffee-based weight-loss supplements have been on the market for years.
The caffeine found in coffee is believed to aid weight loss, particularly when paired with certain vitamins and minerals. HealthNews reports: “Although certain ingredients, like L-carnitine, have been associated with weight loss, no ingredient is scientifically proven to result in fast and sustainable weight loss without a balanced diet and exercise.”, reports Gloucestershire Live.
“That said, some weight loss supplements may provide a small additional benefit as long as the products are of high quality and tested for safety.” HealthNews added: “As a short-term hunger suppressant, the 7-second coffee loophole may be relatively safe, but it should never become a substitute for a balanced diet and healthy eating habits. Relying on these kinds of trending techniques may not be safe long-term and could lead to nutritional deficiencies and a variety of health risks.”