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Green coffee is becoming increasingly common in the health and wellness community.
As such, you may have heard about the rich range of health-promoting plant-based substances.
This article focuses on green coffee, including its potential benefits and risks.
What is green coffee?
Green coffee beans are ordinary coffee beans that are not roasted and remain completely raw.
Their extract is popular as a dietary supplement, but green coffee can also be purchased in whole bean form and used to make a hot drink, just like roasted coffee.
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Keep in mind that a cup of this light green drink will not taste like the roasted coffee you are used to because it has a much milder taste. It is said that it tastes more like herbal tea than coffee.
Moreover, the chemical profile is very different from that of roasted coffee, although their origin is comparable.
It has an abundant amount of chlorogenic acids – compounds with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can offer many health benefits.
Roasted coffee products also contain small amounts of chlorogenic acid, but most of them are lost during the roasting process.
In short: Its beans are raw, unroasted coffee beans. They contain high levels of a group of antioxidants known as chlorogenic acids, which are believed to offer many benefits.
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Does it work as a weight-loss supplement?
In 2012, the green coffee extract was promoted as a miracle weight loss supplement by American celebrity doctor and talk-show host Dr. Oz.
Many health professionals have since refuted the idea that it has a significant impact on weight.
Still, its extract remains one of the most popular weight loss supplements on the market.
Several small studies have treated mice with the extract and have shown that it has significantly reduced total body weight and fat accumulation. However, human studies have been much less convincing.
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Most human research into green coffee has given no definite answer. While some participants lost weight, the studies were poorly designed with small groups of short duration.
So there is no definitive proof that green coffee is effective for weight loss. Larger, well-designed human studies are needed.
In short: Green coffee marketed as a weight-loss aid, but there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. More human research required to prove it.
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Can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases
Green coffee can have other health benefits than weight loss.
The chlorogenic acids can even reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
In an 8-week study, 50 people with metabolic syndrome – a cluster of risk factors, including high blood pressure and blood sugar, increasing your risk for diabetes and heart disease – took 400 mg of decaffeinated green coffee beans extract twice daily.
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Those who took the extract experienced significant improvements in fasting blood sugar, blood pressure and waist circumference, compared to a control group.
Although these results are promising but still larger studies required.
In short: It can reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, although more research still required.
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Possible risks and side effects of green coffee
it is generally safe but can have various potential risks.
Effects of excess caffeine
Just like roasted coffee, its beans naturally contain caffeine.
Although moderate caffeine intake is probably safe for most healthy people, too many can lead to negative symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disorders, and increased blood pressure.
A cup of black or green coffee provides approximately 100 mg of caffeine, depending on the variety and method of preparation.
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Because a small amount of caffeine can be lost during the burning process, it may contain slightly more caffeine than black – but the difference is probably negligible.
Meanwhile, its supplements usually offer 20-50 mg per capsule. Although some decaffeinated during processing.
If you take green coffee in any form, you may want to moderate your intake to prevent effects.
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Green coffee may affect bone health
A 2-month animal study showed that mice receiving green coffee extracts daily experienced significant calcium depletion in their bone tissue.
These results suggest that prolonged intake of these coffee supplements can damage bone health.
In short: Over-consumption of caffeine in this green drink can cause negative symptoms.
In addition, earlier animal studies suggest that it may harm bone health, although human studies are necessary.
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Recommended dosage
Insufficient data on green coffee is available to establish clear dosage recommendations.
One study used doses of up to 400 mg of green coffee extract twice a day, which reported no negative effects.
If you are considering taking this extract, consult your health care provider to ensure that you are taking a safe amount.
In short: No clear dosage recommendation established for it. But some studies have safely used doses of up to 400 mg of the extract twice a day.
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The Bottom Line
Green coffee refers to the raw beans of the coffee plant.
The extract was popularized as a weight-loss supplement and can promote healthy blood sugar and blood pressure. Although research into its effectiveness is limited.
Few side effects have been reported, but caffeine levels can cause side effects.
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If you are considering adding green coffee to your routine, consult your healthcare provider to make sure it is safe for you.
You can also use the whole beans to make a hot drink.
If you want to try green coffee or the extract, you can buy it locally or find whole beans and supplements online.