Coffee drinkers tend to have less body fat and more muscle, new evidence suggests

What a daily cup has to do with body composition and sex hormones: fresh research adds detail

According to НВ — Техно: A report dated September 1 highlights a research paper published in the European Journal of Nutrition. The scientists behind it analyzed information from 2,264 participants aged 46 and found that regular coffee consumption is associated with lower fat stores, greater skeletal-muscle mass, reduced branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels, and noticeable differences in sex-hormone profiles, especially in men.

Coffee is part of the daily routine for millions of adults, which makes robust data on its metabolic and hormonal links highly relevant for everyday habits and clinical conversations.

European and Finnish researchers conducted the study, which was cross-sectional, meaning participants were assessed at a single moment rather than followed over time. Although body mass index values were similar across the groups, people who regularly drank coffee had less body fat and more muscle on average. In men, higher coffee intake tracked with a more favorable glucose–insulin balance and increased total and available testosterone. Those men also had higher sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels.

How coffee relates differently to men’s and women’s hormones

Among women, higher coffee consumption was tied to more SHBG and lower free androgen levels. Coffee drinkers also tended to have reduced BCAAs, metabolites often linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver issues, and hypertension risk. The inverse BCAA relationship was especially strong for participants with the highest daily coffee intake.

The researchers caution that coffee’s effects may depend on factors such as roasting style, brewing method, serving size, genetics, and smoking. They also emphasize the need for larger longitudinal and interventional studies before drawing firm conclusions. As study author Luca Verroest put it:

"We consume coffee every day, yet astonishingly little is known about its links to our hormones and metabolic pathways." Luca Verroest

These findings add valuable perspective on how coffee may relate to weight control and hormonal balance. With coffee culture expanding across many countries, further work could clarify how caffeine and other coffee components influence metabolism and overall health, potentially leading to practical recommendations for both consumers and medical professionals.

In addition to coffee's potential benefits, it's essential to consider other dietary choices that may influence overall health. For instance, understanding the recommended daily intake of watermelon can provide further insights into how different foods contribute to body composition and well-being.