People who consume higher amounts of coffee have lower body fat levels and increased muscle mass, according to new research from Finland's University of Oulu.
The study, reported by The New York Post, examined questionnaire data from more than 2,200 participants to analyze how daily intake of the beverage influences physical health and metabolic function. Researchers found that regular coffee drinkers consistently maintained a leaner body composition than individuals who drank no coffee at all.
Excessive body fat raises the risk of severe medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and chronic inflammatory problems. While a morning cup of coffee is already a daily routine for millions of people, previous research has linked the drink to health benefits ranging from gut bacteria balance to preserving youth.
In the Finnish trial, participant consumption ranged from zero to at least five cups per day. However, the study did not include details regarding specific cup sizes, brewing methods, or additions such as milk, sugar, and artificial flavorings.
Measuring body fat and muscle
To record baseline health metrics, researchers required participants to fast overnight and refrain from drinking coffee prior to evaluation. The research team measured muscle and fat volume, collected blood samples, and administered a glucose solution to monitor how each participant processed sugar over a two-hour period.
Participants who consumed greater amounts of coffee exhibited higher skeletal muscle mass alongside lower overall body fat. They also recorded reduced levels of visceral fat, which is the abdominal fat surrounding internal organs that contributes to cardiovascular disease and inflammatory skin conditions.
Visceral fat differs from subcutaneous fat stored directly under the skin because it actively secretes hormones and inflammatory proteins into the bloodstream. Reducing visceral fat is widely considered a key goal in preventing long-term metabolic disorders.
Despite the observed connection between high coffee intake, increased muscle mass, and lower fat levels, researchers noted the study does not prove that coffee directly causes fat loss or muscle growth.
Hormones and amino acid levels
The investigation revealed that higher coffee consumption was associated with lower blood levels of three branched-chain amino acids, known as leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These compounds serve as fundamental building blocks for protein in human tissue.
Chronically high concentrations of branched-chain amino acids are strongly linked to insulin resistance, a metabolic condition where body cells fail to respond effectively to insulin, increasing the risk of diabetes. Although lower amino acid levels align with a healthier metabolic profile, the study did not demonstrate that coffee itself reduced the amino acid levels.
The findings also highlighted less favorable health outcomes for certain groups. In some male participants, higher coffee consumption coincided with elevated levels of specific cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein particles and lower levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Gender differences in insulin response
Researchers observed distinct gender differences in how participants responded to glucose after drinking coffee. Men who drank more coffee tended to show lower fasting insulin levels and lower overall insulin readings, whereas women demonstrated fewer and weaker connections between coffee intake and glucose control.
Luca Verroest, the lead author of the study, said in a press release that millions of people drink coffee every day, yet science still knows remarkably little about how the beverage relates to human metabolism and hormones.
She added that what particularly stood out in the results was a clear hormonal footprint that remained apparent even after researchers accounted for body mass index and lifestyle factors, with several of those metabolic links showing clear variations between men and women.
The University of Oulu, located in northern Finland, is a public research institution recognized for its long-term health studies. Body mass index, or BMI, is a standard health metric calculated from an individual's weight and height to evaluate body composition risks.
