Green coffee beans are coffee beans that have not been roasted – they’re believed to aid with weight loss.
Roasting coffee reduces the amount of the chemical chlorogenic acid, the ingredient thought to have health benefits. The popularity of green coffee started after it was featured on The Dr Oz Show in 2012 where it was mentioned as an effective agent for weight loss.
What are its health benefits?
The chlorogenic acid in green coffee bean extract is said to have benefits for conditions such as heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes, and assists in weight loss.
A green coffee supplement may have the following benefits:
- Certain research has found that specific green coffee extracts assist in the management of mild high blood pressure after 28 days of use
- Green coffee extract may result in modest weight loss over a three-month period, however, further research needs to be conducted
Recommended dietary allowance (RDA)
Discuss supplementation with your Clicks pharmacist first, as there is no RDA.
Taken orally for high blood pressure (hypertension), dosages of 93mg or 185mg daily (depending on the supplement taken) have been found to be beneficial.
For weight loss, dosages vary depending on the manufacturer.
Warnings
Green coffee extract is not recommended for:
- Children
- Breastfeeding or pregnant women
- If you have a caffeine allergy (rare).
Consult your doctor before taking green coffee, especially if you suffer from anxiety or bleeding disorders. The caffeine in green coffee may affect blood sugar levels, so caution is advised if you’re diabetic.
When taken in high doses, green coffee may increase the levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which is associated with increased risk of heart disease.
The caffeine in green coffee may also increase eye pressure, and may increase the amount of calcium flushed from the body in urine. It should be taken with caution in patients with osteoporosis.
Possible side effects
Side effects could include:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness and nervousness
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hives and breathing difficulty if allergic to caffeine
- Anxiety, irregular heartbeat and ringing in the ears if large amounts of caffeine are consumed
- May reduce the amount of certain minerals in the body (selenium, zinc, magnesium and iron)
Ensure you discuss dietary supplementation with your Clicks pharmacist to avoid the potential for side effects and adverse interactions with medications.
This medicine has not been evaluated by the Medicines Control Council. This medicine is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.