Green Coffee Bean Extract: Is It A Weight Loss Scam?

Green coffee beans are coffee beans that have been harvested and dried but not roasted. You can roast them to make them suitable for brewing coffee or use them to derive green coffee bean extract. 

This extract is available in various forms in health food stores or online and is often touted as a weight loss supplement. We recommend you speak with your doctor before trying it. But this article will walk you through what it is, its reported benefits, and potential side effects.

What Is Green Coffee Bean Extract?

Green coffee extract, a supplement derived from unroasted green coffee beans, has been used for years as a by-product of the Swiss Water decaffeination process. However, it has only recently gained popularity in pop culture (1). 

Unroasted coffee beans are picked and processed from the coffee cherries of Coffea plants. Once roasted, they gain the characteristic brown hue we recognize as coffee beans. But before roasting, they can be used to make green coffee extract. Green coffee extract is made by steeping dried green coffee beans, either whole or ground, in pure water.

Due to its unpalatable taste, the pure extract is typically processed into pills, powders, or capsules for oral consumption. Adults commonly use it in doses ranging from 60 to 185 mg per day, typically for a period of two to three months. The most common reason for taking this over-the-counter supplement is to lower blood pressure. However, doctors do not normally prescribe it. If you have any questions, refer to your healthcare provider. 

How Does Green Bean Coffee Extract Work?

Green coffee extract functions similarly to regular coffee but with may come with some enhanced benefits. Drinking brewed coffee has health benefits, many of which are linked to its caffeine and chlorogenic acid content.

Coffee consumption has been associated with various health benefits, including a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, improved heart health, prevention of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, decreased risk of depression, protection against liver diseases, and increased longevity (2). It also famously boosts energy, reduces sleepiness, enhances athletic performance, and can aid in weight management. 

Does Coffee Bean Extract Have Caffeine? 

As green coffee bean extract contains caffeine, it is classified as a stimulant. However, it has a much lower caffeine content than brewed coffee. An 800 mg dose, considered a higher-end dosage, contains 16 mg of caffeine. In contrast, an 8-ounce cup of coffee typically contains about 100 mg of caffeine (3).

There is also a decaffeinated version marketed under the name Svetol. It offers the health benefits of chlorogenic acids without the caffeine energy boost.

The Importance of Chlorogenic Acids

Chlorogenic acids are bioactive compounds with antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the risk of certain cancers and relieve pain, respectively. 

Some of the most common green coffee benefits that have been linked to chlorogenic acids include the ability to help control and reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure for heart health, especially for individuals with hypertension, and the ability to control or prevent type 2 diabetes (4).

When To Take Green Coffee Bean Extract

You can take green coffee extract at any time of day to take advantage of its health benefits. But it is best to avoid it later in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine, as it could affect your sleep. Some resources suggest that sipping green coffee a few hours after a meal is a good way to minimize any blood sugar spikes, but this is not scientifically backed.

Who Should Not Take It? 

Some reviews of this product list minor side effects. Many of these are the same as regular coffee, such as elevated heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues. So if you find you are sensitive to coffee, be cautious when trying the extract.

Does Green Coffee Bean Extract Help You Lose Weight?

There is limited clinical research supporting the weight loss claims associated with green coffee bean extract. And the research supporting it doesn’t hold up due to poor methodology, including small sample sizes and a lack of long-term follow-up.

Dr. Oz Starts A Craze

Mainstream awareness, interest, and sales of the product and its reported weight loss properties rose quickly after Dr. Oz hyped it up on his popular TV show. In May 2012, it was promoted as a “miracle” pill that purportedly burns fat quickly without the need for exercise or dieting. 

In response to increasing criticism, Dr. Oz conducted a weight loss study with 100 women from his studio audience. After two weeks, Dr. Oz and his researchers claimed the women in the green coffee bean extract supplement group lost two pounds on average compared to the others who lost one pound on average. However, the researchers who were paid to conduct the study (by none other than the producer of the product themselves) have since spoken against their own research (5).

More comprehensive studies are required to accurately determine the effects of green coffee bean extract on weight loss. But in general, it’s best to avoid purported weight-loss miracle solutions. That includes other trends like enzyme coffee for weight loss or the current TikTok enthusiasm for “lemon coffee.” If you are concerned with your weight, avoid shortcuts. They never lead to long-lasting change. Aim to get adequate sleep, drink water, eat healthy food, and move your body.

For more information, check out this YouTube video:

Final Thoughts

Green coffee bean extract comes from raw, unroasted green coffee beans. Its high chlorogenic acid content may offer health benefits such as blood pressure reduction. However, despite endorsements from cultural icons like Dr. Oz, who hail the product as a miracle fat-burning pill, its effectiveness as a weight loss supplement lacks solid scientific evidence.