Green coffee bean extract is a powerful weight loss ingredient from the unroasted beans of the Coffea canephora plant. Green coffee bean extract contains caffeine, a stimulant linked to weight loss. It also boasts high levels of chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant that researchers speculate may promote weight loss by reducing the absorption of fat and glucose in the gut, and lowering insulin levels to improve metabolic function.
The latest buzz brewing in the nutrition world is the recent link between green unroasted coffee beans and weight loss. A recent study found that overweight individuals lost a significant percentage of their body weight in a short amount of time when they consumed green coffee bean supplements on a daily basis.
A 2011 review in a journal found green coffee bean extract to lower body weight more significantly than a placebo in three studies. Although average weight loss —about 5.5 pounds — was moderate (perhaps because the doses were a modest 180 to 200 mg/day), researchers noted the poor quality of the studies and suggested more research before recommending the extract for weight loss.While the extract appears safe, ingesting too much chlorogenic acid may raise heart disease risk since it elevate levels of the amino acid, homocysteine. In general, it’s recommended that adult coffee drinkers stick to a moderate amount a day, about 3 or 4 cups, or 300-400 mgs.
The extract is sold as a pill, and can be found online or in health food stores. A typical dose might be between 60 to 185 mg per day. Both the FTC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend doing your research and using caution when it comes to supplements. According to the FDA, dietary supplement claims have to be based on scientific research. The organization recommends being skeptical of products that claim to help you drop weight fast without changing your habits.
Like many other supplements, green coffee beans may be marketed as a ‘natural’ solution to weight loss. The term ‘natural’ is common in the supplement industry, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a product is safe, warns the FDA. Many plants that grow in nature can be deadly and ‘natural’ supplements can still have added, unnatural, ingredients. If you’re thinking about trying green coffee beans as part of your weight loss plan, check the company you’re buying from on the FTC’s website to make sure they aren’t being accused of fraud or hidden ingredients. It’s also important to discuss any supplements with your doctor, especially if you have other conditions (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) or are taking medications.
Also, one of the important things to remember with green coffee bean is that it contains caffeine, just like roasted coffee. And even though two cups of coffee per day is generally safe and might even have its own benefits, more is not better. Excess caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, gastrointestinal distress, increased heart rate and more. There is no quick and easy solution. Weight loss takes time and commitment. It isn’t about popping a pill; it’s about eating real foods that include many nutrients to fuel our bodies properly.
