Women Swear This ‘Cloud Coffee’ Is the Most Delicious Way to Cut Pounds and Cravings
The viral iced coffee hack may help burn fat, reduce sugar intake and boost energy
In case your social media algorithm is keeping secrets from you: “Cloud coffee” made with chilled coconut water is summer’s hottest iced beverage. Have we tried it yet? Of course we have! It’s naturally sweet and delicious, with a bold flavor that’s a little toasty and a little caramel-y. And as a really nice bonus, cloud coffee’s ingredients are linked to both good health and weight loss.
“It’s a smart drink choice for long-term wellness,” confirms functional medicine dietitian Kaytee Hadley, MS, RDN, IFMCP. Hadley adds that she’s a fan of the iced cloud coffee trend: “Coconut and coffee is one of my favorite pairings!” Keep reading for everything you need to know about cloud coffee—including an ultra-easy recipe that may help rev your metabolism with every tasty sip.
What is cloud coffee and why is it going viral?
The viral drink is made by topping ice and ultra-hydrating coconut water with either brewed espresso or instant espresso that’s been whipped up like a fluffy cloud (hence the name cloud coffee; it looks pretty, but the whipping step can be skipped on busy mornings without impacting yumminess).
Woman's World Answers
Cloud coffee is similar to a Starbucks Americano, “except instead of regular water, coconut water is the main ingredient,” notes Hadley. If you like, you can add milk or a nondairy creamer. Hadley likes Califia Farms’ low-sugar Simple & Organic Brown Sugar Creamer. And in the first-ever viral cloud coffee TikTok post, Daphne Oz adds a splash of walnut milk, raving about its “fatty, rich, creamy deliciousness.”
Cloud coffee vs. Starbucks: Which is healthier?
“Coconut water contains naturally occurring sugar,” notes Hadley. Stick to six ounces of no-sugar-added coconut water and your drink will contain less than 10 grams of sugar, less than 45 calories and still taste better than typical coffee bar offerings. By contrast, a small Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato has 173 calories and 24 grams of sugar.
If you’re used to drinking flavored lattes or other sweet coffee drinks, cloud coffee could be a great swap to support healthy weight loss, notes Hadley. And less sugar and fewer calories are just part of the equation.
3 science-backed ways coffee helps weight loss
Regular consumption of coffee is linked to loss of body fat, per Harvard research. Some credit goes to the little bump in energy and metabolism we get from caffeine. “This can increase motivation to move your body and reduce feelings of fatigue that can sabotage healthy eating or workouts,” says Hadley.
Perhaps an even bigger key: Scranton University research found that coffee is the #1 source of antioxidants in the American diet. Here are just a few ways the antioxidant content in coffee and espresso can help us lose weight:
It tames inflammation to boost fat burn
Coffee is especially rich in polyphenol antioxidants, which “are perhaps the most potent anti-inflammatories in existence,” says former NBC Nightly News and Dateline medical correspondent Bob Arnot, MD, author of The Coffee Lover’s Diet. Modern diets and lifestyle choices tend to cause raging inflammation inside us, and inflamed tissues release compounds that actually inhibit fat burning. Dr. Arnot says that as coffee helps relieve inflammation, fat burning is essentially set free.
It lowers belly-fattening hormones
The antioxidants in coffee have been shown to help improve levels of insulin, with research published in the Journal of Nutrition showing daily coffee consumption can reduce risk of diabetes by as much as 54 percent. Additionally, as insulin is normalized, Dr. Arnot says it shifts body chemistry in a way that allows us to burn belly fat more easily.
It prevents some calories from being absorbed
Chlorogenic acid is the most abundant antioxidant in coffee, and findings in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggest it can prevent some carbohydrates we eat from being absorbed. Meanwhile, adds Dr. Arnot, another coffee compound called melanoidin seems to partially block the absorption of dietary fat. Translation: Some of the calories we consume with a coffee drink won’t count!
Coconut water has weight-loss perks too
“Coconut water is hydrating, naturally low in calories and provides electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium,” notes Hadley. “Proper hydration supports metabolism and digestion, helps regulate appetite and can improve energy levels, all of which can indirectly support weight management.”
And electrolytes may give the drink an unexpected edge: Informal research being done in Australia suggests that getting more electrolytes reduces hunger. For example, dieters who get the most potassium eat 47 percent less and those who get the most magnesium eat 25 percent less. It’s just one more reason you may want to give the trend a try. (Discover more health benefits of coconut water here.)
Easy DIY cloud coffee recipe to try at home
Here’s the perfect option for a busy weekday morning—plus a fluffed coffee variation for weekends
Ingredients:
- 6 oz chilled coconut water (no sugar added)
- Ice
- 1 to 2 shots of espresso
- Healthy sweetener and nondairy creamer (optional)
Instructions: Pour the coconut water over ice and top with espresso. Swirl in a little extra sweetener and nondairy creamer if desired. Enjoy!
Fluffy cloud variation: Instead of an espresso shot, combine 2 Tbs. instant espresso, any sweetener desired and 2 Tbs. boiling water; froth with a milk frother or stick blender until cloud-like. Pour on top of ice and coconut water. (If using a stick blender, you may need a little more water to be sure the blade is fully hitting the espresso mixture. And in case you were wondering, yes, instant espresso still has a very high antioxidant content!)
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