What’s the Difference Between a Green Coffee Bean and a Brown Coffee Bean?

A green coffee bean is just a coffee bean that has not been roasted.  Coffee beans are green when they are harvested, and turn brown from roasting.  There is one other important difference.  When they are roasted, an important component is destroyed during the heated process.  That is chlorogenic acid.

What is the Chlorogenic Acid in a Green Coffee Bean?

In Greek, “chloro” means: light green, and “genic” means: formed from.  This pertains to the color that is formed when chlorogenic acid is exposed to oxygen.

Besides being green, chlorogenic acid has been studied for its multiple health benefits.  In a recent review of 94 scientific research studies on chlorogenic acid, its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar and lipid regulating actions were itemized (1).  Further, it was mentioned as a possible supplement for reducing cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer (1). Another review of research looked at 5 studies with 364 participants.  It concluded that chlorogenic acid intake reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.  Larger human studies are warranted (2).

In Summary…

The chlorogenic acid found in a green coffee bean may aid in weight loss, lowering blood sugar and fat levels, and help reduce blood pressure.  Further, it  may have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, that could aid in reducing a variety of diseases, such as cancer.

Human Studies

Here are some human studies demonstrating some health benefits of a green coffee bean supplements.

Weight Loss

• In a 12 week study, 30 overweight participants were divided into two groups.  The group that drank coffee enhanced with green coffee bean extract lost more weight than the group that drank coffee with no green coffee bean extract (3).
• In another study, 50 overweight people were divided into two groups.  The ones that ingested a green coffee bean extract for two months lost 5 pounds more than the placebo group (4).
• In two small double blind studies, a green coffee bean extract taken over 12 weeks effected the absorption and utilization of glucose from the diet.  It was concluded that this resulted in a loss of body mass and body fat (5).
• A group of 49 participants drank a supplement made with green coffee beans for eight weeks.  Results showed: reduced blood pressure, body fat, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels (6).

Reduced Appetite

In a small study of 57 subjects were divided into three groups.  A chewing gum containing Garcinia cambogia, green coffee extract and l-carnitine was assessed.  Results showed it reduced calorie intake of snacks compared to both the placebo chewing gum and the no chewing gum groups (7).

Lower Blood Pressure

In a study with 203 participants over 6 weeks, blood pressure was reduced with coffee rich in chlorogenic acid (8).

Lower Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels

In a study of 40 overweight adults, a supplement with berberine, chlorogenic acid, and tocotrienols was taken for eight weeks.  Results showed lower total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and fasting insulin levels (9).

Improved Dry Skin

In a study with 49 females that had dry skin, they ingested   coffee polyphenols, including chlorogenic acid, for eight weeks.  This resulted in significantly lowered skin dryness.  Further measures showed decreased trans-epidermal water loss and improved skin surface pH.  Plus, it increased stratum corneum hydration, skin blood flow, and the amounts of free fatty acids and lactic acid in the stratum corneum (10).

Possible Side Effects

Like roasted coffee beans, green coffee bean supplements could be high in caffeine.  Thus, large doses could have adverse health effects related to excessive caffeine intake.  Click here to read more about possible side effects: WebMD: Green Coffee Beans Link.

Green Coffee Bean References

1. Tajik, N., Tajik, M., Mack, I., & Enck, P. (2017). The potential effects of chlorogenic acid, the main phenolic components in coffee, on health: a comprehensive review. European journal of nutrition.
2. Onakpoya, I., Spencer, E., Thompson, M., & Heneghan, C. (2015). The effect of chlorogenic acid on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Human Hypertension.
3. Thom, E. (2007). The effect of chlorogenic acid enriched coffee on glucose absorption in healthy volunteers and its effect on body mass when used long-term in overweight. Journal of International Medical Research.
4. Dellalibera, O., Lemaire, B., & Lafay, S. (2006). Svetol, green coffee extract, induces weight loss and increases the lean to fat mass ratio in volunteers with overweight problem. Phytotherapie.
5. Kozuma, K., Tsuchiya, S., Kohori, J., Hase, T., & Tokimitsu, I. (2005). Antihypertensive effect of green coffee bean extract on mildly hypertensive subjects. Hypertension research, 28(9), 711.
6. Sarriá, B., Martínez-López, S., Sierra-Cinos, J. L., García-Diz, L., Mateos, R., & Bravo-Clemente, L. (2018). Regularly consuming a green/roasted coffee blend reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome. European journal of nutrition.
7. Bobillo, C., et al. (2018). Short-term effects of a green coffee extract-, Garciniacambogia-and l-carnitine-containing chewing gum on snack intake and appetite regulation. European journal of nutrition.
8. Yamaguchi, T., et al. (2008). Hydroxyhydroquinone-free coffee: a double-blind, randomized controlled dose–response study of blood pressure. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.
9. Cicero, A. et al. (2015). Short-term effects of a combined nutraceutical of insulin-sensitivity, lipid level and indexes of liver steatosis: a double-blind… Nutrition journal.
10. Fukagawa, S., et al. (2017). Coffee polyphenols extracted from green coffee beans improve skin properties and microcirculatory function. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry.

You know what the secret to weight loss is? Don’t eat much.

-Simon Cowell

Blog By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA (ARC), Professional NAHA and AIA Member, LMT

Blog Posted: 1/14/19