Atkins induction phase and caffeine

Many low carb dieters reported that cheating on the Atkins diet by drinking coffee cased weight loss stalling. During the Atkins induction phase, carbohydrate limitation is strict in order to induce ketosis and to shift the metabolism from running on carbohydrates to running on ketone bodies.

Insulin is a potent anti-ketogenic hormone. It was shown in an experiment that insulin level can be elevated by caffeine. Daily consumption of coffee and caffeine-containing drinks caused decrease insulin sensitivity and compromises efficiency of any low carb diet.

Source: Diabetes Care 25:364-369, 2002