Study: Drinking Coffee Could Help You Drop A Few Pounds

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Another possible health benefit for coffee lovers.

New research suggests coffee could help with weight loss. A study found drinking a cup of coffee can stimulate what is known as "brown fat". That's the fat in your body that keeps you warm by burning calories.

"Normal fat stores energy, it stores calories. Brown fat has lots of mitochondria which have iron which is why it's brown and its purpose is to generate heat. So the goal is to stimulate brown fat. Exercise stimulates brown fat, good sleep stimulates brown fat, and now we know caffeine or coffee can do the same," said CBS News Medical Contributor Dr. David Agus.

The study published in Scientific Reports is one of the first to be carried out in people. Previous research shows drinking coffee may have many health benefits including a lower risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and death. But too much may not be a good thing.

"Up to three cups a day may have a health benefit, no detriment. Don't do more, more isn't better. I also want to push no coffee after one or two p.m. Coffee's half-life is six hours so if you have a cup at 1 p.m. its only going to be half the level by 7 p.m. and so even if you sleep, it's not going to be the deep restful sleep with caffeine on board," said Agus.

Researchers are now studying caffeine supplements to see whether the effect on brown fat is similar.

Experts say people who drink more than four cups of coffee a day may want to cut back if they are suffering side effects such as headaches, insomnia, and nervousness.