Green Coffee Bean Extract

We are aware of scores of different anti-aging formulae. To add to the extensive list comes our friend, the green coffee bean extract. The usual coffee powder that we find is the coffee powder prepared after roasting green coffee beans. The extract is extracted from green coffee bean at 70 C for 2 hours using 70% ethanol. Green coffee bean extract is a light to dark yellowish brown hygroscopic powder, rich in several polyphenols called hydroxycinnamic acids, of which the two prominent acids are chlorogenic and caffeic acids.

Green coffee bean extract is touted for its anti-oxidant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties. Let's have a look at the different ways in which this green coffee extract benefits the human body.

Anti-aging Benefits
The chlorogenic acids present in the green coffee bean is an antioxidant, which means it destroys the free radicals formed in the body, as a result of metabolism. These free radicals if left as they are, destroy cell membranes and conduce to symptoms of aging. By destroying these harmful free radicals, green coffee bean extract actually slows down the onset of aging. Test results also show that green coffee extract has double the rate of oxygen radicals absorbing capacity, as compared to grape seed or green tea extract.

Reduce Blood Pressure
Animal research reveals that chlorogenic acids present in the extract also help alleviate high blood pressure levels. Based on this finding, further research was conducted on humans. The one month experiment done on people with mild hypertension showed that consumption of green coffee extract supplements were seen to have their high blood pressure levels lowered. When taken at a dose of 185 mg, the extract was most effective in treating hypertension. Thus, this extract is helpful in treating hypertension.

Promotes Weight Loss
Scientist Hiroshi Shimoda and his team from Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Company (Japan) in their research on green coffee bean extract found that it promotes weight loss. This weight loss is due to two chemical compounds naturally present in the green coffee beans. Because these coffee beans are unroasted, they have not lost their natural chemicals, which are otherwise lost after roasting.

These natural chemicals are caffeine and chlorogenic acid, which together conduce to weight loss. The caffeine from the coffee releases fatty acids from stored body fat, while the chlorogenic acid assists the liver in processing the fatty acids more efficiently, thereby resulting in weight loss. Shimoda continues to state that; "If a human consumes one kilogram per day of food (2.2 pounds) containing 10 grams (.35 ounce) of green coffee bean extract for 14 days, the increase in body weight may be suppressed by 35 percent."

Boosts Metabolism
The extract boosts metabolism by altering the way in which glucose is absorbed in the body. The caffeic acids act as stimulants and boost the energy levels. Then again, since this green bean has not been boiled, it lacks cafestol, which is a diterpene, which would have otherwise increased levels of bad cholesterol or LDL.

This extract is safe and till today, there have been no reports of any adverse reactions to this extract. However, to be on the safer side, pregnant and breastfeeding women, young children and people with kidney and liver issues should refrain from taking this green coffee extract.