Coffee with chocolate may hinder weight loss: dietitian explains why

If you enjoy drinking coffee “with a bite” of chocolate, it may be worth reconsidering the habit—at least for those struggling with bloating and excess weight. Dietitian Prof. Dr. Barysh Öztürk explains: coffee can increase histamine release in the body, and chocolate (due to fermentation) often contains high levels of histamine and further triggers its release. As a result, the combination can cause a “histamine overload,” leading the body to retain water longer, store fat more stubbornly, and react more strongly to sugar spikes and cravings for sweets.

According to the specialist, the effect may be more noticeable in people with insulin resistance, chronic swelling, lipedema, or a tendency to gain weight in the lower body—hips, legs, lower abdomen. The reaction does not always appear immediately: sometimes it is noticed only the next day, through swelling or tighter clothing.