What is green coffee and Is it safe?

What is it?

"Green coffee" beans are coffee beans that have not yet been roasted. The roasting process of coffee beans reduces the amount of the chemical, chlorogenic acid. Therefore, green coffee beans have a higher level of chlorogenic acid compared to regular and roasted coffee beans. The chlorogenic acid in green coffee is believed to have health benefits.

Green coffee became popular for weight loss after being mentioned in Dr. Oz's 2012 program. Dr. Oz's program named it "The Green Coffee Bean that Burns Fat Fast" and states that it is not occupies exercise or diet.

People consume green coffee to treat obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and bacterial infections.

What is green coffee

How effective is it?

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database ranks the efficacy, based on scientific evidence, according to the following scale: Effective, Probably Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Probably Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence for Make a Determination.

The effectiveness ratings for this product are as follows:

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for ...

  • High blood pressure . Preliminary research suggests that eating green coffee extracts containing 50 to 140 mg of chlorogenic acids per day for 4 to 12 weeks may lower blood pressure in Japanese adults with mild, untreated high blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure (the highest amount) appears to drop by 5 to 10 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure (the lowest amount) appears to be reduced by 3 to 7 mmHg.
  • Obesity . Preliminary research shows that obese adults consume a specific green coffee extract (Svetol, Naturex) 5 times or day for 8 to 12 weeks, alone or in conjunction with a regular Coffee Slender coffee product (Med-Eq Ltd., Tonsberg , Norway), lost an average of 2.5 to 3.7 kg of weight than people who consumed placebo or plain coffee alone.
  • Alzheimer's disease .
  • Type 2 diabetes .
  • Other conditions .
  • More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of green coffee for these uses.

How does it work?

Green coffee beans are coffee beans that have not yet been roasted. These coffee beans contain a greater amount of the chemical, chlorogenic acid. This chemical is believed to have health benefits. For high blood pressure it can affect the blood vessels so that the blood pressure drops.

For weight loss, the chlorogenic acid in green coffee is believed to affect how the body handles blood sugar and metabolism.

Is there concern for the safety of its use?

Green coffee IS POSSIBLY SAFE when ingested appropriately. Doses of up to 480 mg per day have been used safely for up to 12 weeks. In addition, a green coffee extract (Svetol, Naturex) has been used safely in doses up to 200 mg, 5 times per day for up to 12 weeks.

Green coffee contains caffeine. There is much less caffeine in green tea than in regular coffee. But green coffee can also cause caffeine-related side effects, similar to coffee.

Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting, increased heart and respiratory rates, and other side effects. Drinking large amounts of coffee can also cause headache, anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeat.

Special warnings and precautions:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding : There is not enough reliable information on whether the consumption of green coffee is safe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Be cautious and avoid using it. Abnormally high homocysteine ​​levels : Consumption of a high dose of chlorogenic acid in the short term has caused an increase in plasma homocysteine ​​levels, which could be associated with heart disease.

Anxiety Disorders : The caffeine in green coffee could worsen anxiety.

Bleeding Disorders : There is some concern that the caffeine in green coffee could worsen bleeding disorders.

Diabetes: Some research suggests that the caffeine in green coffee may change how people with diabetes process sugar. Caffeine has been reported to cause increased, as well as decreased blood sugar. Use caffeine with caution if you have diabetes and check your blood sugar carefully.

Diarrhea : Green coffee contains caffeine. The caffeine in coffee, especially when taken in large amounts, can make diarrhea worse.

Glaucoma : Drinking caffeine found in green coffee can increase the pressure inside the eye. The augmentation begins within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.

High blood pressure: Drinking caffeine found in green coffee may increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect may be less in people who consume caffeine from coffee or other sources regularly.

High Cholesterol : Certain components of unfiltered coffee have been shown to increase cholesterol levels. These components can also be found in green coffee. However, it is not clear if green coffee can also cause increases in cholesterol levels.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) : Green coffee contains caffeine. The caffeine in green coffee, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and can worsen symptoms of SCI.

Weakening of bones (osteoporosis) : Caffeine from green coffee and other sources can increase the amount of calcium that is excreted in the urine. This can weaken the bones. If you have osteoporosis, limit caffeine consumption to less than 300 mg per day. Taking calcium supplements can help make up for lost calcium. If you are generally healthy and consume enough calcium from food or supplements, consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine per day (about 20 cups of green coffee) does not appear to increase your risk of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women with an inherited disorder that prevents the formation of vitamin D should closely monitor the amount of caffeine they consume.

Are there interactions with medications?

Moderate
Be careful with this combination
Adenosine (Adenocard)
The caffeine in green coffee may block the effects of adenosine (Adenocard). Adenosine (Adenocard) is often used by doctors to do a heart test. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming green coffee or other products that contain caffeine for at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.
Alcohol
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Alcohol can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Drinking green coffee along with alcohol can cause excess caffeine in the blood and caffeine side effects, including nervousness, headache, and rapid heartbeat.
Alendronate (Fosamax)
Green coffee can decrease the amount of alendronate (Fosamax), which is absorbed by the body. Drinking green coffee and alendronate (Fosamax) at the same time can decrease the effectiveness of alendronate (Fosamax). Do not drink green coffee within two hours of taking alendronate (Fosamax).
Clozapine (Clozaril)
The body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril) to get rid of it. The caffeine in green coffee may decrease how quickly the body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril). Drinking green coffee along with clozapine (Clozaril) can increase the effects and side effects of clozapine (Clozaril).
Dipyridamole (Persantine)
The caffeine in green coffee may block the effects of dipyridamole (Persantine). Dipyridamole (Persantine) is often used by doctors to do a heart test. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop drinking green coffee or other products that contain caffeine for at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Disulfiram (Antabuse) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Drinking green coffee, along with disulfiram (Antabuse) could increase the effects and side effects of green coffee, including nervousness, hyperactivity, irritability and others.
Ephedrine
Stimulant medications speed up the nervous system. The caffeine in green coffee and ephedrine are stimulant medications. Drinking green coffee and ephedrine can cause excessive stimulation and sometimes serious side effects and heart problems. Do not take products that contain caffeine and ephedrine at the same time.
Estrogens
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Estrogens can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking estrogen pills and green coffee can cause nervousness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects. If you take estrogen pills, limit your caffeine intake.

Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
Phenylpropanolamine
The caffeine in green coffee can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. Taking caffeine and phenylpropanolamine together could cause too much stimulation and increase heart rate, blood pressure, and cause nervousness.
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Fluvoxamine (Luvox) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with fluvoxamine (Luvox) could cause excess caffeine in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.
Lithium
Your body naturally gets rid of lithium. The caffeine in green coffee can increase how quickly your body gets rid of lithium. If you take caffeine-containing products and take lithium, stop taking caffeinated products slowly. Leaving caffeine too quickly can quickly increase the side effects of lithium.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medications speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel nervous and speed up your heartbeat. The caffeine in green coffee can also speed up the nervous system. Drinking green coffee, along with stimulant medications, can cause serious problems, such as increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant medications along with green coffee.

Some stimulant medications include diethylpropion (Tenuate), epinephrine, phentermine (Ionamin), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), and many others.
Asthma Medications (beta-adrenergic agonists)
Green coffee contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the heart. Some asthma medications can also stimulate the heart. Taking caffeine with some asthma medications can cause excessive stimulation and cause heart problems.

Some asthma medications include albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin, Volmax), metaproterenol (Alupent), terbutaline (Bricanyl, Brethine), and isoproterenol (Isuprel).
Medications for depression (MAOIs)
The caffeine in green coffee can stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can also stimulate the body. Drinking green coffee and taking some depression medications could cause excessive stimulation and serious side effects, such as a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, nervousness, and others.

Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (anticoagulant / antiplatelet medications)
The caffeine in green coffee can slow blood clotting. Drinking green coffee along with medications that also slow blood clotting may increase the chance of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that reduce blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox ), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) and others.
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
The stimulating effects of caffeine in green coffee can block the sleep-producing effects of pentobarbital.
Riluzol (Rilutek)
The body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) to get rid of it. Drinking green coffee can decrease how quickly the body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) and increase the effects and side effects of riluzole.
Theophylline
The caffeine in green coffee works similarly to theophylline. Caffeine may also decrease how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. Drinking green coffee and taking theophylline may increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.
Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Drinking coffee and drinking verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can increase the risk of side effects for green coffee such as nervousness, headache, and an increased heart rate.
Minors
Pay attention to this combination
Antibiotics (quinolone antibiotics)
The body breaks down caffeine from green coffee and other sources to get rid of them. Some antibiotics can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these antibiotics along with green coffee could increase the risk of side effects that include nervousness, headache, increased heart rate, among others.

Some antibiotics that decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), among others.
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can decrease how quickly your body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine (Tagamet) along with green coffee could increase the risk of caffeine side effects including nervousness, headache, fast heartbeat, and others.
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Fluconazole (Diflucan) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking fluconazole (Diflucan) and green coffee may increase the effects and side effects of coffee, including nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.
Diabetes Medications (Antidiabetics)
The caffeine in green coffee could increase blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. By increasing blood sugar, green coffee could decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Check your blood sugar. The dose of your diabetes medicine may need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others .
High blood pressure medications (Antihypertensive medications)
Green coffee can lower blood pressure. Drinking green coffee along with medications for high blood pressure can cause your blood pressure to drop too low.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others. .
Mexiletina (Mexitil)
Green coffee contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Mexiletine (Mexitil) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking Mexiletine (Mexitil) along with green coffee could increase the effects of caffeine and the side effects of green coffee.
Birth Control Pills (Birth Control Medications)
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Drinking green coffee, along with birth control pills, can cause nervousness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects.

Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol, and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.
Terbinafine (Lamisil)
The body breaks down caffeine into green coffee to get rid of it. Terbinafine (Lamisil) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine and increase the risk of side effects including nervousness, headache, increased heartbeat, and other effects.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

Calcium
High consumption of caffeine from food and drinks, including green coffee increases the amount of calcium that is excreted in the urine.
Cyclodextrin
Dietary fiber cyclodextrin has been shown to complex with certain components of green coffee, which has hypotensive properties. In theory, the consumption of cyclodextrin and green coffee could decrease the absorption of these components, and as a consequence decrease the hypotensive properties.
Ephedra (Ma huang)
Green coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. Using green coffee with ephedra, which is also a stimulant, could increase your risk of serious or life-threatening side effects such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, seizures, and death. Avoid drinking coffee with ephedra and other stimulants.
Herbs and supplements containing caffeine
Using green coffee in conjunction with other herbs and supplements that contain caffeine increases exposure to caffeine and increases the risk of developing caffeine-related side effects. Other natural caffeine-containing medicines include black tea, cocoa, kola, green tea, oolong tea, guarana, and mate.
Herbs and supplements that could lower blood pressure
Coffee lowers high blood pressure. When used with other herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure, green coffee may have hypotensive properties. Other natural medicines with hypotensive effects include alpha-linolenic acid, psyllium blond, calcium, cocoa, cod liver oil, coenzyme Q-10, garlic, olives, potassium, pycnogenol, sweet orange, vitamin C, wheat bran, and others.
Herbs and supplements that may lower blood sugar levels
Green coffee extract may lower blood sugar levels. Its use together with other herbs and supplements that have the same effect could cause a marked decrease in blood sugar levels. Some herbs and supplements that could lower blood sugar levels include alpha lipoic acid, chromium, cat's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, cat's claw, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, among others.
Herbs and supplements that slow blood clotting
The caffeine in green coffee can slow blood clotting. Drinking green coffee and using herbs that may also slow blood clotting may increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Some of these herbs include angelica, cloves, sage, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, and others.
Iron
Certain components of green coffee may prevent the absorption of iron in food. In theory, this causes a marked decrease in iron levels in the body.
Magnesium
Drinking large amounts of green coffee can increase the amount of magnesium that is expelled in the urine.
Bitter orange
Sour orange in combination with caffeine or herbs containing caffeine, can increase blood pressure and heart rate in healthy adults with normal blood pressure. This could increase the risk of developing serious heart problems. Avoid this combination.

Are there interactions with foods?

No interaction with food is known.

What dose is used?

The proper dose of green coffee depends on various factors such as age, health, and many other conditions. So far, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of green coffee doses (in children and adults). Remember that natural products are not always always necessarily natural and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow the directions on the product labels and check with your pharmacist, doctor, or healthcare provider before using.



Methodology

To learn more about how this article was written, refer to the methodology of the Comprehensive Database of natural medicines .

References

  1. Wikoff D, Welsh BT, Henderson R, et al. Systematic review of the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. Food Chem Toxicol 2017; 109: 585-648. View abstract .
  2. Svetol Product Information Pack. Naturex, Avignon, France. March 2013. Available at: http://greencoffee.gr/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/GA501071_PRODUCT-INFO-PACK_04-06-2013.pdf (accessed July 6, 2015).
  3. Federal Trade Commission Press Release. Marketer who promoted a green coffee bean weight-loss supplement agrees to settle FTC charges. Available at: www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2015/01/marketer-who-promoted-green-coffee-bean-weight-loss-supplement (accessed July 5, 2015).
  4. Vinson J, Burnham B. Retraction: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, linear dose, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2014; 7: 467. Available at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206203/.
  5. Federal Trade Commission Press Release. Green coffee bean manufacturer settles FTC charges of pushing its product based on results of "seriously flawed" weight loss study. Available at: www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/09/green-coffee-bean-manufacturer-settles-ftc-charges-pushing-its (accessed July 5, 2015).
  6. Saito, T., Tsuchida, T., Watanabe, T., Arai, Y., Mitsui, Y., Okawa, W., and Kajihara, Y. Effect of coffee bean extract in essential hypertension. Jpn J Med Pharm Sci 2002; 47: 67-74.
  7. Blum, J., Lemaire, B., and Lafay, S. Effect of a green decaffeinated coffee extract on glycaemia: a pilot prospective study. Nutrafoods 2007; 6: 13-17.
  8. Dellalibera, O., Lemaire, B., and Lafay, S. Svetol®, green coffee extract, induces weight loss and increases the lean to fat mass ratio in volunteers with overweight problem. Phytotherapie 2006; 4: 1-4.
  9. Arion, WJ, Canfield, WK, Ramos, FC, Schindler, PW, Burger, HJ, Hemmerle, H., Schubert, G., Below, P., and Herling, AW Chlorogenic acid and hydroxynitrobenzaldehyde: new inhibitors of hepatic glucose 6 -phosphatase. Arch.Biochem.Biophys. 3-15-1997; 339: 315-322. View abstract .
  10. Franzke, C., Grunert, KS, Hildebrandt, U., and Griehl, H. [On the theobromine and theophylline content of raw coffee and tea]. Pharmazie 9-9-1968; 23: 502-503. View abstract .