Green coffee bean extract refers to a product of coffee beans that haven’t been roasted. Green beans are raw and unroasted coffee beans. They are the same coffee beans used to make regular coffee. The only difference is that the green coffee beans are unroasted. However, green coffee tastes more like herbal tea rather than coffee.
Coffee beans contain compounds such as chlorogenic acids that are thought to have potential health benefits. When green beans are roasted, some of the healthy compounds in the beans are destroyed as a result of exposure to heat. Green coffee extract is popular as a weight loss, or health and dietary supplement. But does the extract work? And is it safe? Let’s find out.
Is Green Coffee Bean Extract Safe?
According to studies, green coffee extract is rich in chlorogenic acid, a coffee compound that’s thought to have health benefits and contributes to weight loss. However, the health benefits of the green coffee extract are based on shaky evidence.
While some studies show that the extract may potentially lead to weight loss, the documented effects are very small plus the studies aren’t long-term. Additionally, the studies regarding green coffee extract and weight loss are poorly designed.
Therefore, we can conclude that there isn’t enough evidence proving that green coffee extract is safe and effective. More research on this topic is needed. This article will discuss some of the possible benefits of green coffee bean extract, the risks, and the side effects. Read on.
Possible Benefits of Green Coffee Bean Extract
Here are some possible health benefits of green coffee bean extract.
Green Coffee Bean Extract May Promote Weight Loss
Green coffee extract is among the most popular weight loss supplements available on the market. Several studies conducted on mice involving the extract showed that it significantly reduced fat accumulation as well as total body weight.
However, studies conducted on humans have been less conclusive. While some participants involved in the study, lost weight, the sample sizes used were small and the duration of the studies was short too.
Therefore, there is no conclusive evidence that green coffee bean extract will help promote weight loss. More human studies are needed.
Reduce Risks of Several Chronic Diseases
Chlorogenic acid in the green coffee extract is thought to help reduce the risk of some chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
A study conducted on people with high blood pressure and blood sugar, conditions that contribute to chronic diseases, showed that they experienced significant improvements after taking 400 milligrams of decaf green coffee bean extract two times a day. These results may be promising, but more research is needed.
May Help Lower Blood Pressure
According to studies, consuming more than 400 milligrams of green coffee bean extract for four weeks may reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure in those people with hypertension.
May Have Anti-Ageing Effects
Some studies show that green coffee bean extract may contain antioxidants that can help slow some aging effects. Chlorogenic acid in the green coffee extract is responsible for the antioxidants.
While there isn’t a specific recommended antioxidant consumption, some experts believe that taking 400 milligrams of green coffee bean extract daily will provide you with the significant portion you would have obtained from a diet.
Side Effects of Green Coffee Bean Extract
Green coffee bean extract may have possible side effects. They include:
Effects of Excess Caffeine
Just like other coffee beans, green coffee beans contain caffeine. Caffeine in coffee has lots of benefits when taken moderately. These benefits include boosting your energy levels, elevating your moods, and lowering the risk of depression, among others.
However, consuming too much caffeine will lead to side effects such as jitters, headache, anxiety, lack of sleep, and increased blood pressure. The recommended caffeine intake is 400 milligrams – which includes caffeine in coffee and other beverages.
Green coffee bean extract supplements contain 20 to 50 milligrams of caffeine per capsule. Therefore, ensure that you moderate your coffee bean extract intake to avoid the adverse effects of caffeine. Furthermore, you can try using decaffeinated green coffee bean supplements. Not to mention, caffeine is not good for people with the following conditions:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Anxiety
- Glaucoma
- Osteoporosis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bleeding disorders
Before taking any dietary supplements or other supplements including green coffee bean extract, ensure you consult your doctor and especially if you have any existing health conditions. Furthermore, green coffee bean extract isn’t recommended for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
May Affect Your Bone Health
An animal study involving green coffee bean extract showed that long-term intake of the extract may affect bone health. The animals involved in the study experienced significant calcium loss in their bone tissue after taking green coffee bean extract. However, human research is needed.
Green Coffee Bean Extract Dosage
There isn’t any set standard dosage for green coffee bean extract. This is because dietary supplements may vary between different manufacturers depending on their quality as well as the active ingredients present.
Conclusion
Green coffee bean extract comes from unroasted coffee beans. The extract is popularly known as a dietary supplement that can help promote weight, reduce some chronic diseases such as diabetes, and normalize your blood pressure. However, the research on the effectiveness of the supplement is limited.
Additionally, there are adverse side effects that result from consuming too much of the extract as a result of the caffeine in it. Therefore, ensure that you moderately take your green coffee extract supplements. Additionally, talk to a doctor or healthcare provider before adding green coffee bean extract to your routine or any other supplements to ensure it’s safe for you.
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