Read This Before You Try Green Coffee
Despite its name, green coffee is made from the exact same type of coffee beans used to make regular coffee. The only difference is that green coffee beans are raw and unroasted, which is why they are green instead of dark brown (via Healthline). Unlike roasted coffee beans, green coffee beans contain high levels of chlorogenic acids — a group of powerful antioxidants which are believed to offer a number of health benefits, like boosting the metabolism.
As a result, green coffee has often been marketed as a weight loss supplement. This claim was first popularized in 2012 when physician and talk show host Dr. Oz promoted green coffee extract as a weight loss aid on The Dr. Oz Show. However, there is no definitive evidence to support this claim. While some scientific studies of mice have found that green coffee extract can reduce body fat, studies on humans remain inconclusive.
Potential health benefits and side effects
While further research is still needed, green coffee may offer a number of other potential health benefits. For instance, one study suggests that green coffee may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes (via Verywell Fit). This is largely because chlorogenic acids can help regulate blood sugar levels. Scientists even think that green coffee may be able to better protect against diabetes than roasted coffee beans with high levels of chlorogenic acids. However, there is no current evidence to prove this claim. Chlorogenic acids may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and colorectal cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this.
In addition to its potential health benefits, green coffee also has its fair share of potential side effects. This is due to the amount of caffeine present in green coffee beans. Green coffee actually contains more caffeine than roasted coffee. If consumed in large quantities, it can cause a number of unpleasant side effects, including headaches, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, increased heart rate, gastrointestinal issues, and ringing in the ears. Consuming green coffee, or any coffee, in moderation can help prevent these side effects from occurring.