If you’re like us, you’re not one to hold back on the holiday feasts that are jam packed with tons of carbs and even more sweets.  If you’re worried about putting  on those unwanted pounds this holiday season, researchers suggest drinking some coffee.

A new study found that drinking four cups of coffee daily could reduce weight gain from a diet high in fat and sugar.

Scientists say they tracked rats and discovered those that had caffeine gained 16 percent less weight and accumulated 22 percent less fat than those who didn’t. They tested the rats using tea, synthetic caffeine and caffeine extracted from coffee.

The study was conducted by scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and published in the Journal of Functional Foods.