Special coffee offers weight loss with every sip

COOPER CITY, Fla. -

There's nothing quite like a hot cup of coffee to get you going in the morning and now, that beverage enjoyed by 100 million Americans could do more than wake you up: It could help you lose weight.

"Very enticing, I like that idea," said Monica Merlucci.

It's possible with a new beverage made by Javita, a Boca Raton-based company that's now selling Weight Loss Coffee.

"People don't like to take pills, they can't take pills or they forget to take pills, but they will drink coffee," said Endocrinologist Dr. Kenneth Gelman.

The coffee contains an ingredient called garcinia cambogia, an extract from a tropical fruit that's been shown to boost metabolism and lower cholesterol.

"There are some initial studies that show this particular compound actually works in the liver and inhibits fat synthesis," said Gelman.

The extract turns sugars into energy instead of fat, helps suppress appetite and control cravings, and can help manage the stress hormone cortisol.

The coffee also contains yerba mate, a plant extract that's praised for its ability to boost energy and burn calories.

Gelman said drinking two cups of the coffee per day can reduce belly fat by up to 28 inches and generate a 4.5-pound weight loss in just 28 days.

"I think it's worth it, definitely something to consider for anyone who's trying to lose a couple of pounds," said Andre Merlucci.

After one week of drinking the coffee, Louesa Estrada had dropped a full pound.

"I'm going to keep doing it. It tastes great," said Estrada. "I enjoy it, why not? It can't hurt."

There are no scientific studies on the long-term safety of using garcinia cambogia, and taking too much of it can lead to gastrointestinal problems including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

A box of 24 individual packets costs between $35 to $45 and can be found through doctors' offices and on the web at Amazon.com.