Green Coffee Bean Vs Caffeine
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
If we raise a question - green coffee bean vs caffeine - which is better? The question seems incomplete, we need to add - at what condition? It depends on the person’s specific health condition and goals to determine which one would work better than the other. Both have potential health benefits along with potential risks. We need to understand what suits our health needs. Keep reading to learn more about green coffee beans and caffeine.
In this article, we’ll be comparing green coffee beans vs caffeine mainly in terms of their potential health benefits and risks. But we’ll need to know the basics of these substances first. So, let’s get started.
Table of contents
- What is a green coffee bean?
- What is caffeine?
- Green coffee bean vs caffeine: potential health benefits and risks
- Final words
What is a green coffee bean?
Green coffee bean refers to the fresh beans of Coffea fruits, that have not gone through any roasting process, meaning it remains as intact as natural and contains natural color, taste, aroma, and concentration of nutrients.
It has a higher concentration of plant nutrients than roasted brown coffee and is usually taken as an extract pill or capsule made from crushed pure green coffee seeds or beans.
The green coffee bean is flooded with natural antioxidants and other plant nutrients, including certain highly beneficial polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid (CGA). Most benefits of consuming green coffee seem to come from the chlorogenic acid content it contains and the reason it is widely popular as a natural fat burner and weight loss supplement. It also contains caffeine as its roasted counterparts and various other sources such as tea, chocolate, cacao, guarana, and yerba mate.
Unfortunately, the roasting process destroys a large portion of the chlorogenic acid content it contains, which is why consuming pure and unroasted green coffee beans has been found superior in many ways.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a plant chemical that has a noticeable stimulating effect. It is naturally found in seeds, leaves, and fruits of over 60 plant species. Some of the most common sources of caffeine include coffee beans, tea buds and leaves, guarana seeds, cacao beans, dola nuts, and yerba mate leaves.
Caffeine can affect the central nervous system and work in similar ways to how certain stimulating drugs work. This is the reason why caffeine is often considered one of the most commonly used drugs worldwide.
Green coffee bean vs caffeine: potential health benefits and risks
Green coffee beans contain caffeine along with chlorogenic acids and many other plant nutrients, while caffeine is naturally found in not only green coffee but also its roasted counterparts along with many other plant species such as tea and guarana. This means the nutritional value of green coffee is far better than caffeine alone. This is the reason why the intake of green coffee beans is considered to have more efficient and superior effects on the body.
Chlorogenic acids found in green coffee beans are considered the primary bioactive ingredient and are believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits people link with green coffee.
Caffeine, on the other hand, has an incredible ability to increase the production of certain hormones and neurotransmitters, all of which have significant impacts on the functions of the central nervous system. Its stimulating effects can increase energy and alertness.
Studies suggest caffeine has a direct impact on parts of the brain that regulate vigilance, sleep, arousal, anxiety, and fatigue. For this reason, when it comes to improving alertness, focus, concentration, and energy, most clinicians prefer caffeine.
Consumption of excess caffeine has been linked to various adverse effects and therefore, both green coffee beans and caffeine are associated with various potential health risks. Let’s have a look at some of the common health benefits and potential risks of green coffee beans and caffeine one by one.
Health benefits of green coffee bean
- May help with fat and weight loss
- May help keep blood sugar levels in a healthy state
- May help keep blood pressure levels in check
- May help enhance energy levels
- May help reduce signs of aging due to high antioxidant content
- May help improve mood, memory, and focus
Potential risks of green coffee bean
- May lead to caffeine overdose
- People with heart disease may experience abnormalities in heart rhythm
- Higher doses may lead to high blood pressure and anxiety in some people
- People who are sensitive to caffeine may experience headaches, difficulty sleeping, and various gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with bleeding disorders, anxiety disorders, diabetes, glaucoma, or hypertension should ask for the direct supervision of a healthcare provider prior to using green coffee bean
Health benefits of caffeine
- May help you live longer
- Boosts energy levels
- Improves cognitive functions including focus, alertness, and memory
- Improves heart health and reduces the risk of heart failure
- Lowers the chances of developing Parkinson's disease
- May help protect your liver
- Improves glucose metabolism and reduces type 2 diabetes risks
- May help protect your DNA strands and reduce the risks of cancer
- Reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
- Helps lower stroke risks
- Increases exercise, sports, and athletic performance
Potential risks of caffeine
- It has habit-forming or addictive effects
- Overdoses may cause anxiety, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, abnormal heart rate, and tremors
- May trigger headaches and migraines in some people
- Overconsumption in pregnancy may cause low birth weight or miscarriage
- May interact with other prescription medications
Final words
If we compare green coffee beans vs caffeine - which is better? It depends, green coffee beans are mostly recommended for their fat-burning and weight-loss benefits, while caffeine is mostly promoted for improving energy levels and alertness. Since overdoses of caffeine may produce various adverse effects, work with a professional naturopathic doctor to determine your best doses and safety precautions.
Here you can see Vorst’s Green Coffee Bean 400 mg Capsules
Here you can see Vorst’s Caffeine 180 mg Vegan Capsules
Important resources:
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1264/green-coffee#:~:text=Unroasted%20(green)%20coffee%20beans%20release,one%20cup%20of%20regular%20coffee
- https://www.healthincreasing.com/green-coffee-vs-black-coffee/
- https://draxe.com/nutrition/green-coffee-bean/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/green-coffee#dosage
- https://vitagene.com/blog/what-is-green-coffee-bean-extract/
- https://punchdenergy.com/blogs/punchd-energy-blog/green-bean-coffee
- https://greenbrrew.com/blogs/lifestyle/green-coffee-vs-black-coffee
- https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/green-coffee-7-superb-health-benefits-of-having-this-energising-beverage
- https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/green-coffee
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-979/caffeine
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/caffeine-health-benefits#1
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-caffeine#what-it-is
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194#sources