Coffee contains caffeine, which is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.

Caffeine is also included in most commercial fat-burning supplements today — and for good reason.

Moreover, it’s one of the few substances known to help mobilize fats from your fat tissues and increase metabolism.

But does coffee really help you lose weight? This article takes a close look at the evidence.

Coffee Contains Stimulants

Many biologically active substances found in coffee beans find their way into the final drink.

Several of them can affect metabolism:

• Caffeine: The main stimulant in coffee.
• Theobromine: The main stimulant in cocoa; also found in smaller amounts in coffee 
• Theophylline: Another stimulant found in both cocoa and coffee; has been used to treat asthma 
• Chlorogenic acid: One of the main biologically active compounds in coffee; may help slow the absorption of carbs 

The most important of these is caffeine, which is very potent and has been studied thoroughly.

Caffeine works by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine 

By blocking adenosine, caffeine increases the firing of neurons and release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. This, in turn, makes you feel more energized and awake.

In this way, coffee helps you stay active when you would otherwise feel tired. In fact, it may improve exercise performance by 11–12%, on average 

SUMMARYCoffee contains a number of stimulants, most importantly caffeine. Not only does caffeine increase your metabolic rate, it also makes you more alert.