Ozempic and Coffee: Does it Augment Weight Loss?

Coffee is one of the most common beverages. It has weight loss effects and may prevent the development of diabetes. Ozempic and coffee when used in combination may have some good and bad effects on your health. 

The good effects are primarily related to the blood-glucose-lowering and weight-loss effects.

However, the negative effects are primarily related to the increase in the incidence of certain side effects of Ozempic.

Coffee has a number of good and bad effects, especially in patients who are on Ozempic or Rybelsus for the treatment of Diabetes, or Wegovy for weight loss.

Ozempic and Coffee: Effect on Blood Glucose:

Ozempic is primarily indicated for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. It is one of the most potent diabetes medications. It lowers the glycated hemoglobin by up to 1.8%.

With a low-calorie diet, exercise, and foods that have a low glycemic index, the results may be better than anticipated. Coffee is supposed to boost your metabolism.

Coffee intake is especially helpful for patients who are slow metabolizers. Slow metabolizers are individuals who store whatever they eat. They eat less but still gain weight.

It has been studied in various studies that 3 to 4 cups of coffee consumption is associated with a 25% lower risk of developing diabetes compared to people who consume none or less than 2 cups of coffee per day [Ref]

In addition, increasing one cup of coffee per day, not exceeding 6 cups per day, may reduce the chances of developing diabetes in the next four years by 11%.

Contrary to that, reducing by one cup of coffee per day may increase the risk of developing diabetes in the next four years by 17%.

The association of diabetes with coffee intake is not specifically related to the intake of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.

In a meta-analysis of 8 clinical trials, including 247 participants, it was concluded that coffee use is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. These effects are in part due to the activation of sympathetic stimulation.

However, long-term use of coffee results in tolerance to the adrenergic receptors resulting in improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Other mechanisms of the hypoglycemic effects of coffee could be explained by the following mechanisms [Ref]:

• Inhibition of salivary and pancreatic amylases
• Inhibition of intestinal alpha-glucosidases
• Inhibition of glucose absorption, and
• Stimulation of insulin secretion

In addition, coffee consumption is associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which could result in beta-cell preservation and anti-apoptotic properties.

Thus, Ozempic and coffee, when used in combination may result in better blood glucose-lowering effects, especially in individuals who are slow metabolizers.

Ozempic and Coffee: Weight Loss effects:

Although Ozempic is not a weight loss medicine, it is associated with significant weight loss. The higher dose of once-weekly Semaglutide (Wegovy) has already been approved for the treatment of weight loss by the FDA.

Coffee consumption has been associated with an increase in basal metabolic rate. This leads to an increase in energy expenditure and hence weight loss.

In a meta-analysis, caffeine intake in moderate amounts was associated with weight loss, a reduction in BMI, and body fats [Ref].

Since these effects are also commonly observed with the novel GLP-1 analogs, Ozempic and coffee consumption, in moderate amounts, may enhance weight loss and result in a reduction in body fats.

The combined use of Ozempic and Coffee may have additive effects. The weight loss effects of Ozempic can be augmented by drinking 2 to 4 cups of coffee per day.

Some studies suggest drinking decaffeinated coffee is better than caffeinated coffee in inducing weight loss and lowering blood sugars without increasing the heart rate or blood pressure [Ref].

In clinical trials, individuals reported a mean weight loss of about 13 pounds with Ozempic. In real life, people have noticed much greater weight loss.

Zero-calorie coffee, especially caffeinated coffee increases your body’s metabolism, suppresses satiety and hunger, and makes you feel active. Some of these effects are also observed with Ozempic.

Hence, combined Ozempic and coffee consumption may have an additive effect and result in a greater shedding of body weight.

Ozempic and Coffee: Gastrointestinal effects:

Coffee consumption, especially in excessive amounts, has been associated with gastrointestinal side effects and so is Ozempic.

It has been found in studies that coffee consumption causes an increase in the secretion of stomach acid resulting in peptic ulcer disease, dyspepsia, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and heartburn.

In one study, healthy individuals with acute consumption of coffee regardless of the brand and type (instant coffee, espresso, and filter coffee) were associated with increased salivary gastrin secretion without any effect on gastrointestinal symptoms [Ref].

Coffee also relaxes the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. This could cause heartburn, GERD, and Barrett’s esophagus in the long term [Ref].

Barrett’s esophagus is a premalignant condition of the esophagus that can convert into full-blown esophageal carcinoma.

Coffee consumption increases intestinal motility and may relieve Ozempic-induced constipation. However, on the other hand, it may also result in fullness and bloating as it may reduce the rate of gastric emptying.

Likewise, abdominal bloating, fullness, nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea/constipation are the most common side effects of Ozempic.

Except for Ozempic-induced constipation, all these GI side effects of Ozempic may worsen if a person is taking excessive amounts of coffee.

Effects of Coffee on the heart rate and blood pressure:

Since coffee, especially caffeinated coffee consumption augments the effects of the sympathetic adrenergic and nor-adrenergic stimuli, it indirectly causes an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure.

However, when coffee is consumed on a long-term basis, the adrenergic receptors get desensitized to the effects of caffeine.

Thus, short-term use of coffee results in an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure, while long-term use has little to no effect on the heart rate or blood pressure.

Ozempic has also been observed to cause a non-significant increase in the heart rate compared to placebo.

Ozempic and Coffee in combination may result in significant tachycardia and a rise in blood pressure.

Patients with cardiovascular diseases who have been drinking coffee for quite some time can continue taking it. However, with Ozempic, patients should be advised not to drink more than 4 cups of coffee per day.

Ozempic and Coffee: Effects on the Pancreas:

Ozempic can cause pancreatitis, including life-threatening pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is especially a concern if there are other risk factors too.

Coffee (in excessive amounts) may increase the chances of Ozempic-associated pancreatitis.

Chronic consumption of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee has been seen to stimulate the exocrine pancreas and enhance the release of gastrin levels.

Some studies have also mentioned that chronic stimulation of the pancreas may also result in an increased incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma [Ref]

Contrary to pancreatic disease, coffee consumption may lower the chances of a person developing gallstones [Ref].

Gallbladder disease and gallstones have been reported in clinical trials with the use of Ozempic and other GLP-1 analogs.

Effects of Coffee on GLP-1 secretion:

Coffee consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes in various studies.

The primary mechanism underlying this observation is thought to be mediated by the effects of Coffee on GLP-1 levels.

In animal studies, coffee polyphenols when administered orally resulted in the release of GLP-1 via the cAMP pathway [Ref].

Since Ozempic and Coffee consumption, both enhance GLP-1 secretion or activation, coffee use may enhance the glycemic and weight loss effects of Ozempic.

In Summary:

Ozempic and Coffee consumption may help you lose a little more weight by boosting your metabolism and suppressing hunger.

It may also result in better glycemic control, especially in the long run, however, at the expense of more side effects.

Table Summarizing the effects of Combined Ozempic and Coffee use.