By John Raven


We are used to drinking coffee made from roasted beans, however, the drink originally consisted of an infusion made from the raw, green beans and is still consumed in this form in a few areas. Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in the health benefits of pure green coffee bean extract, which is made from the raw material without roasting. One clinical study concluded that it promotes weight loss without the need for a change in eating or exercise habits. It is also thought to possess antioxidant properties.

Traditional coffee is sometimes used to help with weight loss, but the effect seems to be due to caffeine, a stimulant that temporarily raises energy and mental activity levels. Unfortunately, caffeine can produce unpleasant side effects, such as nervousness, irritability and headaches. It can also produce withdrawal symptoms when the intake is reduced or stopped. Green coffee extract contains far less caffeine and its effects seem to be due to an entirely different substance.

The active ingredient is thought to be chlorogenic acid. Despite the name, this compound does not contain chlorine. The name comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "green", and refers to the green color the acid produces when undergoing certain chemical reactions. Roasting the beans destroys chlorogenic acid, which is why normal coffee does not provide the same benefits.

It has long been known that chlorogenic acid is a powerful natural antioxidant - that is, a substance that inhibits oxidation reactions in the body. These reactions produce chemicals known as free radicals, which can damage cells. They are thought to play a role in the aging process and in the development of cancer. Antioxidants are therefore regarded as beneficial compounds that can slow down aging and reduce the risk of cancer.

The feature of green coffee bean extract that has made the biggest splash is its use in achieving weight loss. A clinical trial involving two sets of volunteers, one using the extract and one not, found that the group given the extract lost, on average, 17 pounds, while the other group showed no significant weight loss. The study has been widely publicized and has resulted in great demand for this product.

When sugars are digested, the simple carbohydrate glucose is produced. This is used as an energy source. Often, not all of the glucose is used and the remainder is converted into fat, which is a means of storing energy for future use. This enabled early humans to survive periods when food was short, but in societies where food is plentiful fat can accumulate, leading to weight gain and obesity. Chlorogenic acid slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream, so that less of it ends up as fat.

This may not be the only benefit associated with chlorogenic acid. It seems to help maintain healthy levels of blood sugar. It also appears to increase the metabolic rate of the liver, allowing it to break down fats more quickly.

Pure green coffee bean extract is made by soaking raw beans rather than roasting them. This ensures that the active ingredients are not destroyed. The extract can be purchased online in capsule form.




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