It definitely improves my workouts since I workout so freaking early. It also IMPROVES my sleep. I sleep much better with 2-3 cups of coffee before noon than I do when I was totally abstinent.
There are some studies that shows it temporarily boosts metabolism, however there have also been a couple recently that suggest the metabolism drops off farther than normal after so that it is a netzero effect.
As to the appetite stimulant part. COFFEE can be a stimulant for me at times but not because of caffeine, because of the acid irritating the stomach making me THINK I am hungry. Decaf is no better. I find brewing my coffee with cinnamon and a dash of cayenne (dont knock it 'til you try it!!!!) totally eliminates that. Every friday I have coffee with girlfriends at a coffee shop and "have" to drink normal coffee and my "hunger" is much higher.
PaintedButterfly - whether or not caffeine contributes to your own tendency to binge is something you may need to experiment with/pay attention to. It kind of depends on WHAT your own personal binge triggers are. Mine are more related to self sabotage and caffeine is not a contributor at all (actually since I found the connection between morning caffein and IMPROVED sleep for me it is actually a binge deterrent before noon. After 5 it is a binge stimulator because I highly associate evening coffee with dessert - although again, decaf is no better here).
However there have been studies that show that binges occur as a response to stress or anxiety, then caffeine CAN (not WILL) have an impact as it can increase feelings of anxiety and stress. It can also be hard to tell sometimes. Because the effect of caffeine may only drive your binge when you are in the presence of another binge trigger. e.g. most morning you have a cup of coffee and you are fine. Thursday morning you start thinking about your mom's impending visit and your stress starts rising. Add a couple cups of coffee and suddenly the cookies hiding in the back of cupboard go from tempting to the only thing in the planet that will save you.
Is your psych stating that because he thinks it is applicable in your specific case based on any kind of knowledge of your binges, triggers, food patterns, or is this a blanket statement s/he always gives to patients. Some people think caffeine is evil and will do anything to disparage it.
Last edited by ennay : 01-24-2012 at 03:00 PM.
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Lift heavy or go home!
: I really like the idea of adding cinnamon as I believe that cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar and reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, so that is helpful, too, especially when dieting.
