Can Coffee Break Your Fast? The Truth About Black Coffee and Intermittent Fasting

Can drinking coffee break my intermittent fast? The answer depends on how you take your coffee. If you’re a fan of plain black coffee with no added milk or sugar, you’re in luck. Drinking black coffee is unlikely to compromise your fast in any significant way. A standard cup, about 240 ml, contains roughly three calories and only trace amounts of protein, fat, and minerals. For most people, the nutrients in one to two cups of black coffee aren’t enough to initiate a significant metabolic change that would break a fast.

Some people even find that coffee makes it easier to stick with their fast in the long term. However, this claim remains scientifically unproven. The key takeaway here is that black coffee is your best friend during fasting periods. But, if you start adding milk, creamer, sugar, or syrups to your coffee, then you’re treading on thin ice. These additions can break your fast, so it’s best to avoid them. Lattes, cappuccinos, and other high-calorie or sweetened coffee drinks from supermarkets should be off-limits during your fasting windows.

Many popular health and media outlets claim that you won’t break your fast as long as you stay under 50 to 75 calories during each fasting window. However, once again, no scientific evidence backs these claims. Instead, you should aim to consume as few calories as possible when fasting. While black coffee is the best choice, if you absolutely have to add something, one teaspoon (5 ml) of heavy cream or coconut oil could be an option. This small amount is unlikely to significantly alter your blood sugar levels or total calorie intake.

It’s also important to note that a single cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine while fasting could lead to side effects such as heart palpitations, where your heart feels like it’s fluttering in your chest, temporary increases in blood pressure, and decreased sleep quality. Moderation is key. Stick to one to two cups of black coffee during your intermittent fasting periods to reap the benefits without the drawbacks.

The bottom line is that a moderate amount of black coffee, one to two cups, during intermittent fasting is generally considered fine. Just make sure you moderate your intake and avoid adding sugar, syrups, or milk. For more information on intermittent fasting, check out the other videos on this channel and thanks for watching.

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