Expert: Dr. Thomas M.Walter, M.D. - 2/8/2007

Question
Hi.
I am 48,in good health,but have always been overweight.I have a slow metabolism.
I dont eat much and am very active,but carry a fair bit of visible fat.
I read about a study that linked obesity to caffeine.
I have drank coffee since I was a child.
Do you think it may have effected my metabolism?

Answer
Hi,

    Regular and excessive use of coffee may have a effect on the metabolism but caffeine in the admissible dose does not have any adverse effects.  In fact, caffeine causes secretion of both pepsin and gastric acid from parietal cells of the Gastro-intestinal tract, which is essential for digestion and metabolism.  

    While caffeine is a stimulant, its excess use causes undesirable effects on mental & physical health. It is as much a health hazard as alcohol & nicotine.  Chronic caffeine intoxication results in a number of symptoms [caffeinism] which include sleep disturbances, frequent wination, muscular tension, jitteriness, anxiety etc.

    To know more about caffeine, kindly follow this link to my article, 'Therapeutic uses of Coffea arabica'.
http://openmed.nic.in/1545/01/Coffee_pdf.pdf

Thanks,
Walter.