Increased Metabolism

• Many coffee drinkers have a cup in the morning to provide a jolt of energy and increased concentration. These stimulating benefits of coffee are also linked to a short-term increase in metabolic rate. The caffeine in two cups of coffee can burn up to 50 additional calories per hour, over the next four hours.

When to Drink It

• Drinking coffee at a specific time, such as before bed, doesn't add any advantage to the metabolism-boosting effects of coffee. Coffee seems to affect different people differently, but most advice suggests not consuming coffee for at least four hours before bedtime to ensure a good night's sleep. The metabolic effects of coffee, however, seem to be linked to its caffeine.

How to Prepare It

• For the best results, if you're drinking coffee to boost metabolism, drink it black. Adding the calories present in sugar, milk or cream to your coffee may end up canceling out any calorie-burning effects.