Update 3/10/20. Does green coffee bean help people lose weight? That’s a question a lot of people are asking since seeing this weight loss supplement on the Dr. Oz show. If you’ve been wondering about this also -or wondering if it's a scam – let me try to help you make sense of things by looking at the green coffee bean weight loss research. I believe that only by reviewing it according to its research can we cut through the hype that permeates most websites and magazines about this product.
What is Green Coffee Bean?
Green coffee beans are coffee beans that have not been roasted. Roasting green coffee beans not only changes the color of the coffee beans but also removes a compound called chlorogenic acid (say klor-oh-jen-ick acid).
It's the chlorogenic acid that is at the heart of green coffee bean weight-loss claims. Roasted coffee beans have little chlorogenic acid.
When supplements contain “green coffee bean extract”, chlorogenic acid is the extract they are referring to. Like many plant chemicals, chlorogenic acid also has antioxidant properties. Another extract of green coffee beans that is probably also used in supplements is caffeine.
Foods that naturally contain chlorogenic acid include:
- Prunes
- Peaches
- Tea
- Blueberries
- Sunflower seeds
So, if you are eating these foods, you are getting chlorogenic acid already.
How Does It Work?
The research so far tends to say that chlorogenic acid (an extract in the green coffee bean) disrupts an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphatase, which is involved in how the body used glucose (sugar). I think things might be more complicated than this so I will leave the question of “how it works” to others.
Green Coffee Bean Weight Loss Research
There is research on green coffee beans and weight loss. Below are summaries of some of those studies. While many of the studies involve lab animals, where possible, human research will also be highlighted.
Study
In a mouse study researchers noted that a green coffee bean extract reduced blood triglyceride levels. However, the researchers also noted that neither chlorogenic acid or caffeine by itself was able to reduce reducing body weight gain or fat accumulation in the belly.
Study
In another clinical study researchers compared different types of coffee in 30 healthy, normal-weight people. The study lasted 3 months (12 weeks).
The supplement they used was called Svetol
People drank 5 cups of Slender Coffee – or regular coffee – per day for 3 months.
Results: People drinking Slender Coffee lose about 12 pounds compared to placebo coffee (compared to 3.5 pounds with placebo coffee).
In addition, those drinking Slender coffee people lost more body fat, but body fat was measured using bio-electric impedance which might not be as reliable as other methods.
Study
In a review paper that looked at 3 previous investigations, it appeared that overweight people who use green coffee bean extract have significantly greater weight loss than people who used a placebo. That’s good, but the researchers went on to say that the degree of this effect was “moderate” and that the “clinical relevance is therefore not certain.” The researchers go in to say that “the size of the [weight loss] effect is small.”
In other words, the researchers were saying that while a moderate amount of weight loss seemed to be occurring, it's hard to tell for sure because of the lack of good, quality studies.
In another clincal trial, conducted in India, titled Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, linear dose, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects (this study has been retracted. See update below). involved just 16 people and lasted 22 weeks (5.5 months) and involved 16 overweight men and women.
This was a pretty small study. This was an investigation of a green coffee bean supplement called “GCA” made by Applied Food Sciences (appliedfoods.com) who funded the study. All subjects received the same treatments (for 6 weeks each) in a double-blinded, random order. The treatments were:
- Placebo (not specified) given 3x per day
- 350 mg GCA taken 3x per day (1050 mg total)
- 350 mg GCA taken 2x per day (700 mg total)
A period of 2 weeks separated treatments to let the compounds wash out of the body.
As an aside, I noticed that Applied Food Sciences is based in Texas. With all of the universities and labs in America, why did they go to India to test their product?
Results
- When used for 6 weeks, people lost about 2 kg (about 4 lbs) when taking 1050 mg of green coffee bean extract and about 1.5 kg (about 3 lbs) when using 700 mg of the extract. Both of these were deemed statistically significant (that’s good).
- A decrease in body fat by about 1% as well as Body Mass Index was also seen in both the 1050mg and 700 mg doses. Both values were deemed statistically significant.
Green Coffee Study Retraction
Update: In 2014 CBS News reported that this study has been retracted (taken back) because the researchers stated that they could not verify the results of the study. It turned out that researchers in India did the actual data collection in the study -not the researchers whose names appeared on the paper.
For more on this controversy, see these links:
In this study, researchers published Lipolytic activity of svetol®, a decaffeinated green coffee bean extract. This was a study of human fat cells. Basically, fat cells were incubated in green coffee bean extract (the product was Svetol) for between 2 hours and 8 days to see if the extract helped release fat stores.
These researchers noted that short-term (2 hours) fat loss might be due to “residual caffeine traces” (odd, since Svetol is said to be decaffeinated) and that long-term (8 day) fat release was not due to caffeine but rather was attributed to Svetol.
While this is interesting, it is basically just a test tube study. Also, for those who are curious, the lead researcher of this study has an association with a supplement company that makes green coffee extract supplements.
Green Coffee and Blood Sugar
Its possible people with diabetes have heard that green coffee supplements might help them reduce blood sugar levels. In a test tube, study researchers note that the green coffee supplement called Svetol appeared to have blood sugar-lowering effects. A mouse study, published in 2012 also appeared to show improvements in blood sugar control. This study also involved the Sevetol supplement. In a study, involving 60 healthy women, higher chlorogenic acid (thought to be the active ingredient in green coffee) levels were associated with lower blood sugar.
What Is Svetol?
Svetol is a proprietary green coffee supplement made by a French company called Naturex. Their address in the US is 375 Huyler Street South Hackensack NJ 07606. This is the only green coffee bean supplement I've seen research on. While I remain skeptical of green coffee, if you're looking for a dietary supplement, I'd go with the one with the research.
How Much Green Coffee Do You Take?
I don't think there's enough human research. Most supplements have 200-400 mg per 1 or 2 capsules. some studies have used this dosage too.
Green Coffee Bean Side Effects
Studies generally don't report any serious side effects but here are some things to think about if you try this supplement. This list is not complete.
- Start with less for the first week
- Always look at the back labels of the weight loss supplements you use to see their list of ingredients. If the research is to be believed, only green coffee bean extract should be needed. Nothing else.
- Investigate the companies whose products they use to make sure you are only getting green coffee bean extract. In this 2011 report, titled Adverse drug reactions of a slimming product contaminated with sibutramine , a green coffee bean supplement was found to be spiked with an illegal weight loss drug called sibutramine. Sibutramine (also known as Meridia) was removed from the US market because it's been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
- Also, as far as I can tell, all the human green coffee studies conducted to date have used “healthy people.” I am not aware of any study that has tested green coffee bean supplements in people with health problems or who take various medications. To be safe, those with health conditions should speak to their doctor or pharmacist.
- One rat study noted that green coffee extract lowered blood pressure. Whether this applies to people or not needs better research. Those taking medications for high blood pressure should consult their doctor.
- Stop taking green coffee supplements at least 2 weeks before having surgery.
- Speak to your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
- A small study noted that high doses (2000 mg) of chlorogenic acid increased homocysteine levels in men and women. While controversial, homocysteine may play a role in heart disease. It is unknown if green coffee bean supplements raise homocysteine. People with heart disease who take green coffee bean supplements should speak to their doctor about their homocysteine levels first to be safe.
Does Green Coffee Bean Work?
There is no doubt that green coffee bean has some weight loss research. There is also no doubt that the weight loss proof is much less than what most would have you believe. Most f the research involve lab animals. If you're going to try it the supplement that has been clinically studied is called Svetol. That said I remain skeptical.
What do you think?
Sonia says
I am really wanting to make a change!!! And just for me!!! After three c- sections back to back I think its time for me!!! I really want to try this Green Coffee Bean and still continue to eat healthy and exercise. I have lost some weight just doing those two things maybe this will help a little more.
Im only 4″11 so can you imagine what I should be weighing :(y goal is to lose at least 20lbs first and then see how far I can go. Wish me luck……;) and i wish you all the best of luck as well!!!!!!!!
Paquita says
It would be wonderful if it work for me…will try as I need to loose a stone/7 kg..hope with no side effects.
lanny says
After sitting here reading all the comments and replies, seems Joe you tend to advertise your books and your website. I’m just the regular reader that will do research on anything before I use it. Been doing this for 30ish years. So trust me I know when I see someone using others to their advantage. I’m not saying this to be mean just like any pill or vitamin or books out there it is to make money.
Lynn kind of hit the nail here. You ARE what you eat!!! Plain and simple. People should learn to STOP eating what comes out of a bag, box or can. Eat FRESH like our great grandparents had to as there was NO box, cans or bags back then. Teach our kids how to eat too. Get them OUT of the house and away from TV… Just MOVE that’s all you have to do. Enjoy that outside. Start by walking and ad a bit more later on.
Stay away from aspartame or anything that says ZERO FAT..if it’s zero fat it means there is hidden sugars. Only no fat is like Greek yogurt and I mean the plain one with nothing in it. Just add your fruits in them or a teaspoons of real jam. Basically YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! So it’s what you put in your mouth!!
So there it’s my 2 cents. 🙂
Joe says
Lanny. Appreciate your 2 cents. Of course I mention my book on occasion here because :
A. I’m very proud of that book and I will stack it up against ANY comparable book in the US.
B. Of course I want to make money but I also know my book can help people. It’s not a bad thing to sell a quality product to people -and my book is inexpensive. Heck, if you buy a book from Amazon, I only make about $1. I’m not selling my soul to the devil for $1 LOL. Also, all reviews on this site are 100% free. Since you brought it up, I’ll let you in on a little “secret”. This site has already eclipsed the number of reviews in my book.
C. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t know I have a book or know anything else about me. For example, someone emailed me just this week asking if I had any other reviews other than the one he was looking at.
In short, if I didn’t say it, a lot of people wouldn’t know it. That said, I won’t apologize for being a capitalist, but I will say flat out I’m not here to “use” people in any way.
Truth be told Lanny, it doesn’t matter if I sell any books – ever. I will keep writing these reviews no matter what.
Hope that clears things up 🙂
Anonymous says
Lanny,
Please don’t hate. Are you “using” your boss when you go to work and collect a pay cheque? I don’t think so. Making an honest living is admirable, and nothing in life is free.
Alana says
I just bought the Green Coffee Bean and I am so worry about that I can gain weight, I am looking to loose at least 15 -20LB, Please let me know if there anyone else gain weight with green coffee bean
Joe says
Alana, I don’t think Ive heard of people gaining weight. that would depend on how much people eat though.
l murray says
I was at a standstill on my Weight Watcher 26 pt/day plan so I introduced the Green coffee bean pills 3/day as well as increased my exercise. Much to my disappointment I gained 6 pounds! The only thing that got thinner was my wallet!
AJK says
I used up the whole bottle. I did a lot of greens, vegetables and cut the bread out from my diet until the box was gone. Didn’t drink anything with sugar I only use honey. No pasta, and not much meat I eat. I DIDN’T LOSE A GRAMM, NOT ONLY THAT. ACTUALLY A GAINED WEIGHT (about 10 KG) THAT I DIDN’T WANT AT ALL.
As far as I concern this is again another bogus TV ad crap product that doesn’t work. DON’T BUY IT!!!
Anna says
Did you hear anything about Ps Slenderize – Powerful Fat Burner?
Thank you
Joe says
Anna, I looked it up for you. The website for the product said this:
Fat burner designed by physicians specifically for safe, effective weight loss.
• Low in caffeine content
• High amount of B vitamins supplying energy to sustain you throughout the day.
• Powerful ingredients include Chromium Picolinate, Choline, L-Carnitine and Inositol to support fat metabolism and liver health.
My thoughts:
1. who are these doctors who created this?
2. B vitamin supplements don’t give us energy or pep to get through a day
3. chromium might reduce blood sugar levels but as for helping weight loss, I see no good proof any of the listed ingredients do anything at helping people lose weight.
I hope that helps
Eve says
Hello (: Thanks for the review. It’s hard to make studies because they cost a lot of money. I am on a 1500cal diet and will try this supplement for a little while. I am nosy that’s all ^_^ We’ll see what happens. Everyone the best!
Joe says
Thanks Eve I hope it works for you 🙂
peanut says
I bought this product two months ago and I use it every day 2 x a day I was at 160 and am still at that weight no matter that I am watching what I eat and have already lost 25 lbs with a popular weight lose program which I still follow plus the pills and I am at a standstill. I would really like to loose another 18 lbs but nothing works wish someone could tell me what to do to loose this extra weight as the pills are not helping at all……….
Joe says
Peanut, this might help she light on things http://www.joe-cannon.com/what-weight-loss-supplements-work/
Cheryl says
I took GCB for 30 days and nothing happened. Perhaps I felt full sooner, but that effect was so minimal as to be questionable.
I eat well and exercise 5-6 days a week and am so frustrated at not being able to lose weight. Oh well–my muscle tone is good!
Donna says
I just started taking the green coffee bean pills this week. I hesitated to buy them since I have spent a small fortune on so-called diet pills to no avail!
I only need to loose about 15 to 20 pounds,, mostly belly fat,, ugh,, and nothing I do makes my scale move down one teeny bit!
So discouraging. I haven’t seen any weight loss yet, but it’s only been a few days, so I am keeping my hopes up once again.
Sandra says
Hello, I had tried the green coffee bean extract for two weeks. But, I haven’t seen any changes on my weight.In the bottle it says to take two a day. 30 minutes before meals. But, why before meals? And why, 30 mns before. And, Which two meals to take the pill before? I seem to be disappointed by it. Is there a difference, on people who wouldn’t qualified to take it?
Joe says
Sandra, honestly I dont think it matters if you take it with meals or not. I also dont think it matters what meals you take it with. It’s common for us to think that its us that did something wrong when it comes to why a supplement doesn’t work, but when in doubt I think its that the product itself doesn’t work. I hope that gives you some solace that its nothing you did or didn’t do.
Robo says
This isn’t the first product Ozzie has endorsed.
Joe says
Robo, yes I know. Ive reviewed several other products Dr Oz has mentioned here also.
Susie says
Hi Joe,
With your knowledge base are reduced calorie imtake and exersize still the best way to lose weight?
Joe says
Susie, based on what i know, Id say yes. Its not easy, I know. Can a supplement help? yes some I do think in some people. Whether its because of an actual effect or because of a psychological effect, Im not sure. it depends on the person and the product. I think the bigger issue is just taking the pill and not doing the other things that are needed.
Maya says
Do you recommend any of the green coffee bean brands. I’ve been doing research since Dr. Oz said it must be only GCB and Svetol in the ingredient list. I purchased from Whole foods Genesis today but did it doesn’t contain any Svetol. The brand just came out with the Svetol product but not sure if its a gimmick.
Joe says
Maya, I didnt hear dr oz mention Svetol but I looked it up and it appears to be an extract of decaffeinated coffee beans. I went to Svetol.com and they didn’t show me any research on svetol itself. For me, thats a problem. I see no proof that green coffee bean extract and Svetol are “the best” combination in weight loss supplements.
one says
Hi Joe… I was reading some articles on weight loss management when I was brought to your site. Do you happen to have any review on phen375? Thanks.
Joe says
One, its a stimulant. Im opposed to any supplement that tries to capitalize on the weight loss drug PHENtramine. looking up phen375 online I could not even tell what was the original website for the product – there are sooo many bogus websites trying to sell it that all look a like to me. Im guessing that the “375” is the amount of the stimulant it has (375mg).
Susan says
I have been on GCB for about 3 weeks now and have actually gained weight! While it has definitely stabilized my low blood sugar (I have hypoglycemia), since taking it I’ve gained about 2 lbs. It does reduce my appetite and I definitely have felt like I’ve been eating less, so I was very surprised to have gained. I would just like to lose 10-15 pounds.
I have a very healthy diet, eat virtually no sugar, walk 3-4 miles 3-4 times a week and work out at the gym 2-3 times a week. So, it’s been discouraging. Maybe I’m not taking enough (800 mg twice a day). I went back to the health food store where I purchased it and was advised to just “keep with it” as the study was over a longer period of time.
I am considering upping my dose to 3 times a day. Dr. Oz says 400 mg. 3/day, but that would be less than I’m taking now. I’ve also been considering adding raspberry ketones.
Your thoughts?
Joe says
Susan, did you see my Raspberry Ketones review? H
check it out and that might answer some of your questions.
John says
Hi Susan, I think it’s great you’ve eliminated sugar from your diet and exercise regularly. I can understand your frustration that you’re not getting the results you hoped for, but I don’t think weight loss (appetite suppressant) supplements are the answer.
One thing I can recommend that many women take for granted, is weight resistance training. Don’t worry, women don’t usually bulk up unless they’re taking hormones and the muscle you build will not only create definition in your body, but will contribute greatly to burning more fat when you do cardio. You also mentioned that you walk a lot; that’s great if you’re just looking for the benefit to your heart, but for burning fat I would recommend a program of HIIT at least 3 times a week.
Finally, just reducing carbs, drinking plenty of water and splitting your total caloric intake into 6 smaller meals per day will help enormously to reduce the size of your belly over time and you’ll never feel hungry again because your body is constantly being fed. Of course, you also need to calculate your calorie intake and reduce it gradually until you reach your goal. Suppressing your appetite will send your body into shock and force it to store even more fat eventually, not a good idea for long term weight loss!
Hope this helps, good luck:)
Lynn says
Sounds like the latest “Hoodia” to me. (Another money making gimmick). If the totally CORRUPT FDA hadn’t taken away from us the only thing that worked, APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS (ie Phen/Phen and MA HUANG EPHEDRA) then we wouldn’t be having discussions on this quakery. They treat us like “children” who can’t read directions and don’t know how to take anything responsibly, because of 1 or 2 athletes who died while taking ephedra.
What they don’t tell you is that these athletes drank copious amounts of ASPARTAME (diet sodas) which is what really killed them, not the ephedra. And even if the ephedra did kill them it was because they took too much, drank toxic aspartame which turns to formaldihyde in the body and got out in the hot sun like idiots. So the other 100 MILLION people who took ephedra with no problems are penalized for these morons while over 200,000 THOUSAND people per year die from FDA APPROVED pharmaceuticals.
Countless others have horrible side effects from these same sorcerous pharmakia, while Ma Huang Ephedra has been used in China for over 4 thousand years without incident. In addition the the phentermine they sell out diet clinics today, is a watered down version of the Smith Kline Beechum version of the 90’s that they OF COURSE discontinued and the phen phen worked but because of a FEW bad side effects IT TOO was discontinued, even though their STATIN drugs cause NUMEROUS heart problems all across the nation and there chemo quackery causes MORE cancer more often than it “cures” anything while nearly cooking to death the poor victim (patient).
There are cures for cancer but they won’t tell you because they don’t make money off of it. Money is the bottom line for these crooked BASTARDS and they want us to be FAT and sick. That’s why they have corrupted our food supply. It contains almost NO NUTRIENTS so people overeat because their bodies are STARVING for NUTRIENTS. It’s all part of an evil agenda. A fat and sick cash cow is much easier to control than a healthy and vigourous herd. Anyone with common sense can figure that out.
Joe says
Lynn, I think one of the big reasons ephedra was pulled from the market was that there were companies putting all sorts of levels of ephedra in their weight loss products – some had less than stated and others had more. Couple that with people thinking “more is better” and it potentially could be a recipe for disaster. I remember some athletes dying after ephedra but there are also case reports of everyday people also dying. Here is my review of a woman who died after her personal trainer recommended an ephdred based weight loss product http://www.joe-cannon.com/personal-trainer-recommend-supplements-ephedr/
Breezy says
Wow Lynn – it’s been a while I realize since you posted this, but I hope you get this. Kudos big time for knowing your stuff. What you have stated is the most truth I’ve seen ever on a public comments stream. The things you have stated are completely true, & out there for others to verify if they’d bother to do the research.
I am a searcher myself, and it is scary to think only a couple of years ago, I would consider myself one of the mindless herd. I pray every day that more of us will awaken to the things that are being systematically done to us – and the agenda behind it. Thank you for your post.
Fran says
I agree we’ll done Lynn for saying it now it really is :))
JeanEmarre says
Wow, where to start? You sound sincere Lynn, although it also sounds like your research sources are a bit dubious.
It’s called fen-phen, short for fenfluramine and phentermine, (not “phen-phen”), and it was discontinued because it was shown to cause heart valve disease and pulmonary hypertension.
Although I avoid chemical substitutes for sugar as well, there is no proof nor evidence that aspartame converts to formaldehyde in the body. Aspartame has been fairly well studied and has not yet been shown to cause health problems. That’s not to say that it doesn’t, just that we have no evidence as of yet.
You may be right about “them” already having a cure for cancer; I wouldn’t put it past “them” either, but again there’s no proof of this and when you state it as fact that they do, it lowers your credibility and makes you sound like a crazy conspiracy theorist.
For eg, don’t you think it goes a bit far to say that “our food supply contains almost no nutrients” and that that is why people overeat. Sounds like a cop out. My wife and I have the same “food supply” as everyone else and we don’t overeat.
Kay says
Back again Joe. Just watched my Monday recording of the Dr. Oz show because I knew he was scheduled to talk about these beans again. He did his own audience test study with 100 women & put half on placebo & half on GCB. Had everybody fill out a food journal but not change anything else.
The placebo half lost average of 1 lb @ day & GCB users lost average 2 lbs per day. Was a blind study, but he only monitored 30 of these women himself. Me thinks that pretty much invalidates the results, but there it is.
Also, all the ads about this or raspberry ketones & other supplements he’s mentioned on the show, he says he has not endorsed. Went into a big discussion about how supplement sellers were stealing his picture & adding his endorsement falsely.
Said if we see any of that to NOT use the product because they were fraudulently capitalizing on his name. He’s been notifying eBay, amazon, & FB advertisers using him & requesting them to be taken down. Sure enough, I did a little checking, & couldn’t find many with his pix or endorsement.
I’m still not going to try them, don’t buy into his study results, but he did reclaim some credibility.
Joe says
Kay, welcome back and thanks much for letting me know about Dr oz experiment with green coffee bean. I missed it. In the past people have used his – and Oprah’s – name and picture to sell supplements mentioned on their TV shows. I know Oprah in particular has gone after some of these people/companies. I’m glad Dr Oz has been doing the same.
Kay says
Well, I’m really glad I found this website, but I sure wish there were more testimonials. I’m torn now after this & a bunch of other research I’ve done recently about whether to take the plunge or not. Just left a lengthy comment on your raspberry ketone info space, so I have some things to consider. Maybe I’ll wait to see what happens in the future.
Joe says
Kay, yes I thought everybody would be jumping on this since Dr Oz mentioned it but so far not many have said if green coffee bean worked for them or not. I hope they do.
Anonymous says
hi Joe, If Oz features something like the Green Coffee Beans on his programme, doesn’t that mean he endorses it? Why would he not be happy that he was associated with this product, if he had put it on his programme?
Joe says
Anonymous, I think Dr Oz means well and wants to help people. Even if he doesn’t say it, by appearing on his show, people do take it to mean he “endorses” the product. its a balancing act for sure.
G.N. says
My weight was 173 I’m 5′ 11″ had been trying to loose 10lbs for ages to no avail. I exersize 4-5 xs week and have a really good diet. Read the India study and tried Green Coffee Bean extract (pure, no other additives) various brands about 1200-1600mgs/day (400-800mgs, 30 mins. before breakfast and dinner with large glass of water). In 6 weeks I lost 13lbs. I am now 160lb, my ideal weight. I continue to take the extract but no more weight loss beyond the 13 lbs.
I’m very pleased with this outcome and really surprised that it
worked so well. At first had some side effects: some insomnia and more rapid heart beats but after a week or so this stopped. Definitely lost fat from my midsection ( where I wanted to loose it). Really, really pleased with this supplement. I supplement that really works – who would have thought…
insomnia and more rapid heart beats but after a few weeks
on supplement that stopped. Really, really pleased!
Anonymous says
I started taking pure green coffee bean supplements today. I will be following up here again after I conclude a 6 week course.
My goal is 5 lbs, 3 of which i am hoping will be body fat burned. I am 5’3″ and at a “normal” weight for my height and build. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week. I volunteering as a guinea pig to share my own person experience with this to friends who want to try this supplement.
To be fair to who ever reads this as to any biases i may have, my own personal philosophy on weight is: if a person remains active and eats a balanced diet, than their body will regulate their weight to what is correct for them.
Aaron Spence says
Like all weight loss supplements GCE should be used as a tool to assist the individual, not do the work for them. There is no magical formula which will do this for you. I sell a weight loss product and the first question I usually get asked is “if I take this can I go to McDonalds?” Great for our bottom line but you are setting yourself up for failure.