As far as health beverages go, we all have herbal teas, green tea and energy drinks hoarded in our kitchen cabinets and we sip on them as part of an effort to do good to our bodies and health. The latest healthy beverage in the health and wellness world is green coffee! While your favourite cup of coffee may be a hot cappuccino or latte or straight-up black, green coffee is slowly gaining traction in the health and fitness world. Whether or not you’re introduced to green coffee as yet, in this post, we dole out all the details on green coffee that you need to know and see for yourself if you want to make this your daily beverage or not.
Table of Contents
Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know on green coffee. Would you make it your favourite drink now?
What is green coffee?
Green coffee comes from coffee beans that are not roasted. Coffee beans are typically roasted before they can make the finest of cappuccinos and americanos, hence the brown colour. Green coffee beans are loaded with antioxidants and mainly two compounds that are chlorogenic acid and caffeine.
Benefits of green coffee
Green coffee has a lot of benefits for your health and your wellbeing. Let’s take a look at some of them, shall we?
It could inhibit weight gain
Due to the chlorogenic acid present in it, some studies say that green coffee could help you hit your target weight. This is because the acid helps reduce the fat absorbed from your diet, and it also reduces fat stored in the liver. Apart from this, chlorogenic acid is believed to improve the functioning of adiponectin which is a fat-burning hormone. Sounds almost magical, doesn’t it?
Boosts metabolism
Green coffee contains some amount of caffeine and research says caffeine can boost metabolism by 3-11%!
Lowers blood sugar levels
Green coffee is also believed to reduce the absorption of carbs from the digestive tract which in turn helps to lower blood sugar levels and insulin spikes.
Hello, anti-ageing properties
And you thought only your retinol-infused creams and serums can help you get taut and young-looking skin. The chlorogenic acid in green coffee is believed to cure any redness caused by sun damage. The caffeine present in this beverage also reduces photodamage and the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet.
Blood pressure aid
The chlorogenic acid present in green coffee is believed to help people suffering from high blood pressure. Studies have shown lowered levels of blood pressure during ingestion of chlorogenic acid.
Helps fight diseases
Green coffee beans are full of antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body. These free radicals can lead to life-threatening diseases like cancer. According to a study conducted in 2004 and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, it is said that chlorogenic acid antioxidants may prevent the forming of 4 kinds of cancer cells!
Can help if you’re balding
Androgenetic Alopecia also referred to as female pattern hair loss, can be taken care of with green coffee consumption. The green coffee extract can boost hair growth and increase the thickness of the strands too!
Improves mood and energy level
Many studies prove that caffeine consumption is directly related to how active, focused and upbeat you are. It is said to have a significant effect on ones psychomotor and cognitive performance. You want that cup of green coffee NOW, don’t you?
How to make green coffee
While you can always buy the commercial powders and mix it with hot water in the proportion recommended on the packaging, here’s how to make the extract in your home.
- When buying green coffee beans, look for high quality, wet-processed ones.
- Rinse thoroughly one cup of green coffee beans and put them in a pot. Do not rub them together as that can rid the beans of the papery chaff which contains all the antioxidants.
- Add three cups of water to the pot and bring it to boil.
- Once it comes to boil, leave the pot of beans and water on medium heat to simmer for about 10-12 minutes.
- After this, remove the pot from the burner and strain the extract into a cup. And your green coffee is ready for consumption.
Side effects of green coffee
Just like everything else in life, it’s always good to do things in moderation. The same applies to drinking green coffee. Having too much of it isn’t good for you either.
Just like when you consume too much caffeine
While green coffee consumption is considered largely safe, the caffeine content in it is higher than in regular coffee. The usual side effects of that may show up if consumed in large amounts. Consumption of excess caffeine can make you might experience anxiety or an accelerated heartbeat.
Jump in homocysteine levels
Some studies show that the consumption of chlorogenic acid can leave to elevated homocysteine levels. This, in turn, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
FAQs
1. What does it taste like?
Green coffee tastes very different from your regular coffee. It has a milder, more ‘herbal’ taste to it.
2. Can you drink green coffee after dinner?
The caffeine content of green coffee causes some individuals to become active and stay awake. So, it’s best to have in the morning or 30 minutes before your meals in the day.
3. Is it safe to consume green coffee when you’re menstruating?
You can drink green coffee when on your period. However, if you do react to it, stop drinking it immediately and consult a doctor.
4. When is the right time to drink green coffee?
Green coffee is most effective when you drink it on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before you are to have a meal or a snack.
5. How long do green coffee beans last?
Green coffee beans aren’t roasted and hence can last you a long time. It’s best to store them in a cool and dry place. Also, make sure to store them in an airtight container for longevity.
6. How much green coffee is a good amount of green coffee?
Since it’s still uncertain how much chlorogenic acid one should be including in their daily diet, it’s best to watch out for side effects like headaches, diarrhoea or anxiety. If you experience any of those, cut back on green coffee consumption immediately.
