Raw and unroasted coffee beans are called green coffee. It contains caffeine, but not as much as regular coffee. The origin of green coffee is not certain. It is thought that about 1000 years ago, green coffee was used in separate parts of Africa—Arabica in South Sudan and Ethiopia, and Robusta in West Africa. Green coffee contains chlorogenic acid which has huge health benefits. Besides, green coffee has gained popularity to lose weight and reduce blood pressure. Continue scrolling to know the health benefits, nutrition, side effects and best recipe for green coffee.
Nutrients of Green Coffee
A hot cup of coffee gives you instant energy and helps you to charge up, especially when you are under stress and want to uplift your mood.
From 1 tbsp of green coffee powder, you will find the following nutrition:
Calcium 50 mg, Potassium 71 mg, Caffeine 20 mg, Carbohydrates 1g, Fibre 3g, and Fat 0.
Health Benefits of Green Coffee
Minimise Blood Pressure
Research has shown that green coffee bean extract helps to reduce blood pressure significantly in hypertensive individuals. It is great to lower blood pressure by reducing the significant amount of cortisol in your bloodstream. The substance namely chlorogenic acid is mainly responsible for this reduction in cortisol.
Chlorogenic acid helps to relieve hypertension. The intense heat in the coffee bean roasting process reduces the content of this life-changing substance- as shown by a scientific study. You can keep the chlorogenic acid intact and maintain your cortisol levels in check by the regular consumption of green coffee.
Chronic Disease
According to some initial studies the chlorogenic compound in green coffee is helpful to reduce potential risks of some chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, etc.
Boost Metabolism
The presence of chlorogenic acid in green tea is great for improving the Balsamic Metabolic Rate (BMR) in your body. When the BMR rate is improved, this system helps to reduce the release of glucose from the liver to the bloodstream. Hence, the body starts burning fat to fulfil the need for glucose and boost metabolism.
Detoxifier
The green coffee bean is a natural detoxifier that rips apart toxins, impurities, excess fat, and cholesterol from your body. It cleanses the liver naturally. When your body is free from toxins and other harmful elements, you gain extra energy that reinforces your immune system and optimises overall health and well-being.
Weight Loss
If you are searching for something to lose weight, you can put green coffee at the top of your weight loss supplement chart. Research shows that people who consume green coffee regularly can reduce extra weight.
The caffeine in coffee helps you complete your intense workouts while stimulating thermogenesis. Caffeine reduces your eating desire that helps keep you from munching on your favourite snack and packing on the calories.
Improves skin
Green coffee bean extract assists you to remain hydrated and thus improves the quality of your skin. Chlorogenic acid in green coffee keeps your skin’s moisture from evaporating and aids blood flow to the skin as well.
Moreover, due to green coffee consumption your skin gets the essential nutrients and provides the building blocks necessary for it to repair and remain smooth. Besides, green coffee bean extract also enhances your skin’s ability to protect itself from the harmful effects of UV rays.
Anti-Ageing Effects
Green coffee has anti-ageing properties too. Chlorogenic acid with its antioxidant properties helps your body eliminate free radicals which is a common culprit in the ageing process. Free radicals are responsible for breaking down your DNA causing damage to accumulate over time and accelerating the body’s wear and tear.
Prevent Cancer
Green coffee bean users can enjoy a delicious beverage and at the same time mitigate cancer risk. Research findings indicate that green coffee beans contain a potent cancer-fighting molecule namely chlorogenic acid complex ( CGA7) that is particularly helpful in preventing colon cancer.
Stimulate Mood
The caffeine-containing in green coffee beans helps to present a larger amount of dopamine known as the feel-good hormone in your system. This dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced in the brain and acts as chemical communication between neurons.
With the consumption of green coffee bean extract, the caffeine blocks the reabsorption of the hormone into your body, helping you feel better for a longer period and boosting your mood, attention, alertness, and memory.
Regulate Blood Sugar
Green coffee extracts lower inflammation and minimises fat accumulation, which later enhances blood sugar levels. Chlorogenic acid in green coffee reduces blood pressure and grows insulin sensitivity and stabilises blood sugar levels as well. Drinking green coffee bean extract three to four times a day along with healthy eating habits can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by about 30%.
Glow Energy level
As unroasted coffee beans have less caffeine than roasted beans, it increases your energy level. The increased chlorogenic acid of green coffee beans increases your cognitive function to make you alert and perform your daily tasks optimally.
Green Coffee Side Effects
Definitely, green coffee can be very good for your health. But it has some critical side effects also that one should not ignore.
Caffeine Related Issues
Although one cup of green coffee has only 20mg of caffeine which is significantly less than the caffeine content of regular coffee (100g), it can still cause caffeine-related issues like headaches, anxiousness, stomach issues, etc.
Risk Of Osteoporosis
If you drink green coffee excessively, calcium is flushed out from your body with urine. Therefore, it will cause calcium deficiency. In the long run, this deficiency of calcium may cause osteoporosis.
Read Health benefits of Chamomile Tea
Feel Tiredness & Fatigue
When you drink green coffee in a moderate amount, it can freshen you up. But over usage can make you tired quickly.
Worsen Your Mood
Green coffee is healthier than regular coffee. However, excessive drinking of this beverage can make you feel depressed and anxious. So, make sure you limit your daily coffee intake.
Breathing & Heart Rate Issue
Caffeine in green coffee impacts directly on the central nervous system. Drinking a large amount of green coffee can raise the heart and breathing rate.
Restlessness, Nausea & Vomiting
Green coffee has caffeine that irritates your stomach lining and causes nausea and vomiting. Besides, caffeine is a nervous system stimulant that is liable to grow in nervousness and restlessness.
Increased Homocysteine
Green coffee is packed with chlorogenic acid compounds ( Eg – caffeoylquinic acid,
di-caffeoylquinic acid, and feruloyl quinic acid). When you intake a large amount of these compounds, it can increase homocysteine levels in your body that negatively impact your heart health.
Worsen Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a type of optic nerve damage related to blindness. The overconsumption of green coffee may put extra pressure on the optic nerve and worsen your glaucoma.
Risk of IBS & Diarrhoea
The caffeine in green coffee can intensify your IBS and diarrhoea. So, it’s best to drink green coffee in moderation to avoid stomach problems.
Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women
Doctors advise breastfeeding and pregnant women to avoid caffeine. As green coffee has caffeine although little in amount compared to regular coffee, it is wise to avoid green coffee also.
Green Coffee Recipe
Ingredients (per 1 serving):
- 10 g of green coffee beans
- 150 ml of hot water
- sugar, honey or cardamom( your choice).
Preparation:
First, soak green coffee beans overnight in a measured amount of water. Then, the next day, boil the soaked water on low heat for about 15 minutes. Next, cool it and after an hour pour through a sieve and remove the beans. Now, your green coffee beverage is ready to drink! You can add sugar, honey or cardamom as your choice.
Bottom line
The raw beans of the green coffee plant are a popular weight-loss supplement. It has many other health benefits also. However, Like any other drink, green coffee has some side-effects. Seek advice from your healthcare provider when you have some health issues but take green coffee regularly. So far, we have discussed some key health benefits of Green coffee along with easy-to-prepare recipes. Hope it helps.
