Green Coffee – Is It a Trendy Solution or Just a Supplement?

Coffee is a plant belonging to the plant family of the chamomile family, being an evergreen plant, reaching a height of 4 to 7 meters. Coffee plants grow in areas between the roots. The flowers are white, small in size, and smell pleasantly like cinnamon. Coffee fruits are called carnivorous berries, which when ripe change color from red to yellow and purple. Inside, they contain seeds that are extracted, shelled, and selected for the production of coffee. Coffee contains many biologically active compounds, including caffeine and a range of antioxidants. Due to its rich content, it has many positive properties, including lowering blood sugar levels, triglycerides, and cholesterol. The body is constantly exposed to harmful effects of free radicals, which are produced both inside and outside. An excess of free radicals increases the risk of many diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and even cancer. Antioxidants neutralize their effect. Antioxidants include phenolic acids, of which large amounts are found in coffee. Of these, there is the most coffee and chlorogenic acid, which is a combination of the former with gallic acid. Coffee acid is called an inhibitor of cancer diseases. It also acts antibacterially. Chlorogenic acid has a significant role in cancer chemoprevention. It expands blood vessels and reduces the absorption of glucose in the blood. In addition, it acts anti-inflammatory and cholagogic. Both acids as natural antioxidants show the ability to sweep away free radicals and bind heavy metal ions. A. Gugliucci, D. H. Markowicz proved that through coffee, a person provides his body with 8 isomers of chlorogenic acid. All are well absorbed. In addition, coffee counteracts caries. Contained in it compounds - caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and trigonelline penetrate the interior of the tooth and interfere with its contact with bacteria.

Among the raw materials needed for coffee production, one must mention the fruit of the coffee tree, which blooms for a few days, but then repeats this cycle multiple times throughout the year. These fruits take about 9 months to ripen. The fully ripe fruit is a red strawberry, which is similar in size and shape to a cherry. Each fruit contains two semicircular seeds. To extract the coffee seeds, two methods are used: natural drying of the fruit in the sun, followed by mechanical peeling, and the so-called wet method. The wet method is based on separating the seeds from the pulp by crushing the fruits with special devices and large amounts of water. Then, the seeds undergo a fermentation process, which can last up to 60 hours. Further stages include sorting, drying, polishing, etc. These raw seeds constitute green coffee. Thanks to its longevity, it can be stored for several years without significant deterioration in quality.

Green coffee is acknowledged as a helpful aid in weight reduction. Its high content of chlorogenic acid, which is present in lesser amounts in traditional, roasted coffee, makes green coffee beneficial for weight loss. Scientific research confirms that regular consumption of green coffee can counteract obesity and overweight. Green coffee leads to a decrease in fat tissue accumulation by regulating fat cell production and genes responsible for lipid and protein metabolism. A human study confirmed the positive impact of green coffee on weight reduction processes. The study involved a group of overweight women aged 25-45 years. One group received 400 mg of green coffee daily, while the other group was given a placebo. Both groups followed a suitable reducing diet. After 8 weeks, a decrease in body weight was noted in both groups, but those consuming green coffee experienced a greater weight loss.

There are many types of coffee bushes, including arabica, robusta, liberica, excelsa, and others. The most frequently used varieties for coffee production are arabica and robusta. They account for 40 to 60% of the global coffee production. Arabica coffee is aromatic and delicate, originating from Ethiopia and Mozambique. It is currently produced in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, India, Costa Rica, and the Middle East. It produces coffee throughout the year, being very demanding during cultivation. Due to its composition and flavor characteristics, it is considered the best variety. Robusta coffee, on the other hand, is more resistant during cultivation and less demanding than arabica. It is grown in the countries of Ivory Coast, Zaire, Angola, and Indonesia. In flavor, it is more bitter, which is due to the higher caffeine content. The content of valuable biologically active substances in coffee is not constant and depends on many factors, such as cultivation conditions, location, light access, soil, temperature, rainfall amount, and processing process.

Green coffee, despite its numerous health benefits, does not deliver a satisfying taste. It contains more polyphenols than roasted coffee, yet its taste and aroma are less appealing. It lacks the desired intense flavor note that is characteristic of roasted coffee beans. The taste of green coffee is mild and somewhat weak, while its aroma is not as intense as roasted coffee. Chlorogenic acid imparts it a slightly acidic flavor. Consequently, on the market of dietary supplements, preparations in the form of capsules containing an extract of green coffee have emerged. These products are primarily recommended for individuals who wish to reduce their weight. They frequently also include other components such as chromium, which support weight loss. The market for dietary supplements is continually expanding, and the range of products is growing. If one decides to use a supplement containing green coffee, one should pay attention to the product composition and choose products from reputable brands. It is also advisable to verify whether the manufacturer has implemented certified quality systems such as HACCP, ISO, or GMP.

Green coffee offers many health benefits. The chlorogenic acid content in green coffee promotes weight loss. The composition of green coffee depends on the variety and country of origin. Therefore, it is very important to review the information on the label before purchasing the product. Green coffee can be consumed by preparing a decoction or in capsule form. It is advisable to consider the selection of preparations with the simplest ingredients, ideally from the most reputable Polish manufacturers. Green coffee will only support weight loss when used in combination with a healthy diet.