By: Andrea Ervin
That first cup of coffee in the morning invigorates millions of people daily. Its flavor, aroma and energizing effects have led it to be one of the most popular drinks in the world- the success of Starbucks is testimony to this. Coffee lovers rejoice, there is a type of coffee on the market that can aid in weight loss and provide the body with powerful antioxidants. We are talking about green coffee. Green coffee can be consumed in the same way as traditional coffee- as a flavorful aromatic hot drink, or even as an extract.
How Green Coffee Helps with Weight Loss
Properties of green coffee can help promote healthy weight loss when incorporated into a diet. Researchers have found that the chlorogenic acid in green coffee can cause significant levels of weight loss. It works by reducing sugar absorption in the intestines. Fat is then converted into energy rather than being stored. Consuming green coffee increases metabolism, helping the body to burn off calories faster. The properties of green coffee are similar to that of green tea. Green coffee is rich in plant molecules in its raw form. These molecules speed up metabolism, helping the body to burn more calories faster and aid in weight loss. The Hydroxycitric acid in green coffee also helps to reduce the body’s ability to form fatty tissue after food consumption.
Health Benefits of Green Coffee
Antioxidants have been proven to slow the effects of aging on the body and skin. The chlorogenic acid found in green coffee has three times the level of antioxidants than green tea. Garcinia Cambogia, a chemical found in green coffee, can help increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is a natural chemical found in the body that helps maintain a happy feeling. Serotonin is also known to suppress the appetite, lessening the desire to consume food and providing a natural way to lose weight. Green coffee has also been found to help migraine sufferers by increasing the effectiveness of the pain killers prescribed to treat these headaches. In addition, green coffee and green coffee extract may help reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes in some people. The caffeine that is consumed through green coffee can increase energy levels, enabling a person to become more motivated to exercise. It has been used to reduce hypertension in athletes and to fight muscle fatigue. A critical difference between the properties found in green coffee and those found in traditional roasted coffee is that roasted coffee contains cafestol, while green coffee does not. Cafestol increases the levels of bad cholesterol in the body, which also increases the risk of coronary heart disease.
How to Consume Green Coffee
Green coffee can be purchased as fresh coffee beans, in a powdered form or as an extract. It is consumed in much the same way as traditional coffee- by brewing it and drinking it hot. It can be mixed with milk, cream or sugar to please the taste buds. On those hot summer days, it can also be consumed as an iced drink. Many health food stores and companies have begun selling green coffee extract as a weight loss supplement. These supplements often contain other natural ingredients that aid in weight loss, such as soy and gingko. Green coffee has gained in popularity and has resulted in a number of green coffee diets, and some coffee chains are even catching on to this trend. Starbucks began testing green coffee drinks known as ‘refreshers’ in coffee shops around San Diego last summer. For coffee lovers who also wish to loose weight, boost metabolism and increase energy levels, green coffee may be healthy alternative to that morning cup of Joe.