What is green coffee?
One only needs a hot cup of coffee to feel energised and recharged. People who are stressed out can benefit from green coffee’s mood-boosting effects. Even if there are many different types of coffee on the market, green coffee is always a winner in terms of health.
Green coffee bean extract has to start gaining more attention since many individuals frequently choose coffee manufactured with roasted Arabica or Robusta beans. Its pleasant flavour is accompanied by a plethora of advantages for our health and happiness.
Unroasted coffee beans from Coffea fruits (Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora) are known as “green coffee”. In comparison to roasted coffee, it has higher chlorogenic acid. However, doctor consultation is mandatory for people with certain medical conditions or when it is consumed in excess.
How is it different?
Green coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which is known to offer health advantages. It has an impact on blood pressure, metabolism and blood glucose levels. Green coffee contains caffeine, although in fewer quantities than ordinary coffee.
Green coffee is not to be confused with other beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, black tea and green tea. They ain’t the same.
Unlike ordinary coffee, green coffee beans aren’t roasted, giving them a higher concentration of chlorogenic acid, which offers several health benefits. Our bodies can fully benefit from green coffee since it readily absorbs chlorogenic acid. Instead of tasting like roasted coffee, it has a softer flavour that is somewhat similar to herbal tea.
Green coffee is merely a byproduct of ordinary, raw, unroasted coffee beans. Coffee beans are green after being harvested and processed. Roasting is the only step that turns them a characteristic brown colour.
Nutrition
1 tablespoon of green coffee powder provides the following nutrition.
- Carbohydrates - 1 g
- Fibre - 3 g
- Fat - 0
- Calcium - 50 mg
- Potassium - 71 mg
- Caffeine - 20 mg
Taste of green coffee
The roasting procedure is responsible for most of the “coffee flavour” and distinctive aroma that we have come to expect from the beverage. Therefore, one might not even be aware that they are drinking coffee when they consume green coffee in a blind-tasting test.
Compared to ordinary coffee, green coffee has a gentler, lighter flavour, and when prepared properly, there is a slight thickness. Although it’s not exactly the same, some people describe the flavour as grassy or link it to that of green or herbal tea. Compared to roasted coffee, green coffee is also more acidic.
The coffee prepared from unroasted green beans doesn’t truly resemble coffee. It typically has an amber colour with a tinge of green.
10 Health benefits of green coffee
Prevents cancer
Green coffee beans are filled with vital minerals and antioxidants that protect the body from the harm caused by free radicals. It is well known that free radicals raise the chance of developing cancer and other chronic diseases.
Studies have also shown that the chlorogenic acid in green coffee beans lowers the risk of developing some types of cancer and hinders the growth of tumour cells.
Detoxifier
The natural detoxifying properties of the green coffee bean aid in the removal of toxins, pollutants, extra fat and cholesterol from the body. The immune system is supported and improved by consuming this energetic beverage, which also improves general health and well-being.
Extract from green coffee beans is a natural detoxifier. Our metabolism progressively speeds up as the liver becomes more functional, which enhances our general health.
Blood pressure
It has been shown in research that green coffee bean extract lowers blood pressure in hypertensive people. Lowering the blood’s cortisol levels also helps to reduce blood pressure. Chlorogenic acid is the chemical causing this decrease in cortisol.
One of the many health advantages of chlorogenic acid is its ability to lower blood pressure. The strong heat used in roasting coffee beans, according to a scientific study, reduces the amount of this molecule present. The chlorogenic acid is preserved, and the cortisol levels are kept under control using green coffee bean extract.
Boosts metabolism
Green coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, which is also referred to as a metabolism booster. It significantly raises our body’s Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which reduces the amount of extra glucose released from the liver into the blood.
Due to a shortage of glucose, our body begins to burn stored fat cells to meet its glucose needs. As a result, pure green coffee beans increase our capacity to burn fat and eventually aid in weight loss.
Regulates blood sugar
Green coffee (or its extract, taken as a supplement) has been shown to improve fasting blood glucose levels, triglyceride levels and total lipid profiles, which are closely related to the onset or management of Type 2 Diabetes.
The antioxidant-rich chlorogenic acids found in green coffee treat metabolic syndrome, one of the main causes of Diabetes, and increase insulin sensitivity in prediabetic patients.
Reduces cholesterol
Green coffee beans have a significant impact on how our cholesterol levels are monitored. The primary factor that increases our risk for cardiovascular problems, including cardiac arrest, is low-density lipoprotein (LDL), generally known as bad cholesterol. Green coffee bean extract can be used as a preventative measure.
Has anti-ageing effects
Due to the fact that green coffee beans are not roasted, they are also known to retain significant levels of volatile substances. We can prevent wrinkles formation and maintain our skin’s health by using nutrients like Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), Theophylline, Epigallocatechin Gallate, etc.
Elevates mood
Green coffee contains caffeine, which has advantages of its own. Our mood, attentiveness, alertness and memory are known to improve with caffeine. It may have a similar effect on our mind and body even if it contains less caffeine than original coffee.
Fights free radicals
Green coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, which can reduce the impact of free radicals in our bodies up to ten times more than conventional green tea.
Since the beans aren’t roasted, they contain additional antioxidative compounds like ferulic acid and other members of the polyphenol family that slow down the ageing process and give us youthful skin.
Increases energy
The caffeine in green coffee bean extract provides a mild energy boost, sufficient to get through a hectic day. This occurs as a result of unroasted coffee beans’ lower caffeine content compared to roasted coffee beans.
The cognitive function is improved by the higher chlorogenic acid content of green coffee beans, allowing us to stay alert and work as efficiently as possible throughout the day.
Green coffee for skin
By assisting it in maintaining moisture, green coffee bean extract enhances the condition of the skin. Chlorogenic acid helps the blood flow to the skin and prevents the moisture in the skin from evaporating. This implies that vital nutrients may get to the skin, giving it the building blocks, it needs to heal and stay smooth.
Green coffee bean extract also improves the skin’s ability to defend itself against UV ray damage. Green coffee beans are also high in fatty acids and esters, such as arachidonic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid, which nourish and moisturise our skin to prevent sagging, discolouration and other damage.
These compounds work together with the antioxidants in green coffee beans to protect them from free radical damage.
Green coffee for hair
Green coffee beans’ antioxidant content is also good for our hair. Our hair continues to stay strong, healthy and beautiful since it aids in the battle against anything harmful and toxic.
Green coffee beans can also be used to treat androgenetic alopecia, popularly known as “female pattern hair loss.” The growth and thickness of our hair strands can be greatly increased by the extraction of these beans.
Green coffee beans are worth trying on when we want to take the best care of our body, skin and hair.
Green coffee for weight loss
To make green coffee bean extract, green coffee beans can be ground into powder, steeped with hot water or left to soak overnight. The healthy qualities of green coffee are preserved during the powder’s production due to the gentle manufacturing process.
To make a green coffee bean extract,
- Soak the beans overnight.
- Boil it the next day.
- Add the powder to a cup of hot water, stir and then wait a few minutes before drinking.
Green coffee powder with kelp might be the solution for individuals trying to lose weight naturally. This unusual mixture of two potent substances can reduce body fat, speed up metabolism, and give more energy due to its caffeine content. Therefore, kelp and green coffee might provide instant energy when feeling lethargic.
Possible risks and side effects of green coffee
Fatigue
One can wake up by consuming moderate amounts of green coffee. However, overuse of this beverage can cause fatigue and make a person feel worn out.
Caffeine-related issues
Although a cup of green coffee only contains about 20 mg of caffeine, much less than the 100 mg in a cup of regular coffee, it can still result in caffeine-related problems, including headaches, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, etc.
Osteoporosis risk
Consuming too much green coffee may cause the body to lose calcium through the urine resulting in a calcium deficiency. It might eventually lead to severe illnesses like osteoporosis.
Become more unhappy
Even while drinking green coffee in excess can make an individual feel worried and unhappy, it is still healthier than ordinary coffee. It is therefore advised to restrict daily coffee consumption.
Restlessness, nausea and vomiting
The caffeine in green coffee has the potential to aggravate the lining of the stomach, resulting in nausea and vomiting. Caffeine is also a nervous system stimulant that may cause nausea, vomiting and restlessness.
Increased Homocysteine Levels
Chlorogenic acid compounds are abundant in green coffee (Eg–caffeoylquinic acid, di-caffeoylquinic acid and feruloyl quinic acid). The body’s homocysteine levels can rise with a high intake of these substances. Thus, it might have a detrimental effect on heart health.
Pregnant or lactating Women
Doctors advise against consuming coffee while nursing or during pregnancy. It is, therefore, better to refrain from drinking it.
How to consume green coffee?
Green coffee or green coffee extract is available in four different forms—whole beans, ground, powdered and capsules.
Green coffee capsules and powder are meant to be taken as dietary supplements. One can also just consume the capsules and combine the powder with water or any other beverage of choice.
It’s easy to make coffee from ground fresh green coffee beans. Steep the coffee grinds in hot water (not boiling) for 10 minutes. Then drain and sip on the coffee. Medium fine coffee grind is the most effective grain.
The procedure is nearly as simple, but it takes a little longer to use raw green beans that haven’t been ground.
- Soak the coffee beans overnight in water.
- After bringing the beans and water to a boil, simmer for fifteen minutes and cool.
- Strain to remove the beans and indulge in the tasty coffee. Coffee leftovers can be kept in the fridge for a few days.
The better the beans, the better the coffee, say coffee aficionados. Since roasting is not a part of green coffee, this is so true.
Conclusion
Green coffee bean extract is an excellent option for people who like coffee but want a drink with a mellower flavour and many health advantages. For those who desire a little extra energy without experiencing the crash that comes with strong stimulants, its modest caffeine level gives a milder feeling.
Green coffee bean extract has the ability to treat Diabetes while preventing heart disease and cancer. The essential component that distinguishes green coffee bean extract from roasted coffee is the presence of the multifunctional chlorogenic acid molecule.
