Drinking coffee before working out helps burn off fat faster, according to a study.
Enjoying a strong cup of coffee half an hour before exercising significantly increases fat-burning - especially in the afternoon, say scientists.
Caffeine is one of the most effective and popular performance enhancing sport supplements.
It is taken by athletes around the world to improve their endurance and physical abilities during high-intensity exercise and power sports.
Despite its widespread use, there is little scientific evidence for its oxidation or fat-burning powers.
Scientists at the University of Granada (UGR) in Spain have discovered the best coffee-exercise combo to lose weight.
Over 60 per cent of population in the UK are either overweight or obese, meaning they have a BMI (body mass index) above 25.
Lead author assistant professor Francisco José Amaro-Gahete said: “The recommendation to exercise on an empty stomach in the morning to increase fat oxidation is commonplace.
“However, this recommendation may be lacking a scientific basis, as it is unknown whether this increase is due to exercising in the morning or due to going without food for a longer period of time.”
The researchers asked 15 men to complete an aerobic exercise test four times at seven day intervals.
Each time, they were given 3 mg/kg of caffeine, equivalent to a strong cup of coffee, or a placebo at 8:00am or 5:00pm.
Conditions before exercising were held in check, including the amount of time since their last meal.
They found drinking a coffee half an hour before breaking a sweat increased fat oxidation, especially in the afternoon.
Asst Prof Amaro-Gahete said: “The results of our study showed that acute caffeine ingestion 30 minutes before performing an aerobic exercise test increased maximum fat oxidation during exercise regardless of the time of day.
“The existence of a diurnal variation in fat oxidation during exercise was confirmed, the values being higher in the afternoon than in the morning for equal hours of fasting.”
Caffeine increases fat-burning during morning exercise in the same way working out without caffeine does in the afternoon.
This suggests, combining “acute caffeine” and moderate exercise in the afternoon is the best way to burn fat, the researchers say.
Over 30 per cent of the population in the UK are considered obese, meaning they have a BMI above 30.
Obesity has been linked with leading causes of death worldwide, including diabetes, heart disease and strokes.
Around 95 million cups of coffee are drunk in the UK every day, with over 70s being the heaviest drinkers.
The findings were published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
