Every news channel you turn to has something important to say about one of America’s favorite drinks: coffee. Today, a cup of Joe is touted as the key to vitality while tomorrow it may be man’s worst enemy. This wide range of media attention leaves many medical weight loss patients a bit confused when it comes to drinking coffee.

Though there’s no better beverage for weight management than a tall glass of water, some people have a hard time letting go of the drink most of them grew up on and now, rely on. If you are having a hard time leaving coffee behind then it is time to face the fact that coffee isn’t going to help you lose weight. In fact, it actually promotes more negative health issues than positive.

Here are some not-so-addicting qualities of coffee that weight loss patients should be aware of.

• Coffee is known to elevate urinary excretion of magnesium, calcium and potassium—all essential minerals—in people who drink it regularly. This electrolyte imbalance can lead to serious systematic health complications.
• The acidic quality of coffee is often associated with indigestion, heart burn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and digestive discomfort.
• Habitual caffeine consumption is known to decrease insulin sensitivity. This decrease in sensitivity makes it difficult for your cells to respond appropriately to blood sugar which can lead to high blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar can lead to arterial deterioration and increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.
• Heavy daily caffeine consumption can potentially result in insomnia, accelerated heartbeat, muscle tremors, irritability and more.
• Though caffeinated coffee is known to speed up metabolism, no long-term benefits concerning weight control have been discovered.

Medical weight loss patients should consider these effects and opt for water instead of coffee. If you’re having a hard time limiting your intake and dealing with caffeine withdrawal here are some tips to help.

• Instead of waking up with a hot cup of Joe, make a tall glass of water and add freshly squeezed lemon juice to awaken your senses.
• If you still find yourself tired, try to engage in a short bout of physical activity such as walking the halls of your office or home or climbing up a flight of stairs for a mid-day pick-me-up.
• If you’re dealing with frequent headaches, drink a cup of green tea. The small amount of caffeine will help alleviate your headache but won’t affect your health as much as coffee. Plus, the antioxidants help to boost your immune system.
• Drink water consistently throughout the day. Water helps keep you hydrated and alert and is even known to facilitate weight loss—making it the healthiest choice for weight management.

Though the great coffee debate will likely continue, it’s better to be aware of its negative health effects than stay in the dark. Drinking water instead of coffee throughout the day will help you remain energized, hydrated and healthy. Talk with your weight loss doctor about how much water you should drink each day according to your individualized weight loss plan.