Behind the delicious taste, it turns out that there are some risks of green coffee that you need to be aware of. In fact, this type of coffee is claimed to be able to lose weight and prevent certain diseases. Therefore, know in advance the risks of green coffee before you consume it.
Green coffee is coffee beans that have not been cooked or coffee beans that are still raw so they have higher levels of chlorogenic acid than ground coffee. Chlorogenic acid itself is a substance that is claimed to burn fat and lose weight, as well as prevent a number of diseases.
However, claims about the benefits of green coffee for weight loss have not been supported by data from adequate scientific research.
Not only that, claims of the benefits of green coffee as a treatment for certain diseases, such as obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and various other diseases, also still need to be investigated further.
Potential Risks of Green Coffee
In healthy adults, moderate consumption of green coffee or no more than 2–3 cups per day may be good for health. However, like coffee in general, green coffee also contains caffeine which can cause side effects, especially when consumed in excess.
The following are a number of side effects and risks of consuming green coffee for health that often occur:
1. Frequent urination
The amount of caffeine in green coffee is higher than that of regular coffee. This makes people who consume green coffee in excess will urinate more often due to the effects of caffeine.
2. Headache
If consumed in the long term, the caffeine in green coffee can cause an effect called caffeine withdrawal symptoms.caffeine withdrawal). This effect appears when a person stops consuming caffeine after a long time, both from regular coffee and green coffee.
One of the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal is a headache. Not only that, prolonged caffeine consumption is believed to increase the risk of migraines.
The caffeine content in green coffee can also cause an increase in the frequency of urination. When this happens, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated, which can lead to headaches.
3. Anxiety disorders
Caffeine is a substance that has a stimulant effect. This means that the caffeine content in green coffee or black coffee can increase alertness, make the body more energetic, and feel more awake.
If consumed in excess, caffeine can cause side effects in the form of chest palpitations, the emergence of anxiety, and difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
4. Digestive disorders
Green coffee has a natural laxative effect and can increase stomach acid production. This makes green coffee at risk of causing digestive complaints, such as heartburn and the urge to defecate.
Therefore, green coffee consumption should be avoided by people who have digestive problems, such as stomach pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or suffering from certain diseases, such as stomach ulcers, acid reflux disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Not only the above conditions, there are other risks of consuming green coffee that need to be watched out for, including:
- Aggravating blood clotting disorders
- Worsening glaucoma
- Increases the risk of osteoporosis due to decreased levels of calcium in the body
- Makes blood sugar levels unstable, especially in diabetics
- Increase blood pressure, especially in people with hypertension
When taken together with certain drugs, such as blood pressure lowering drugs, sedatives, decongestants, and antipsychotics, the caffeine in green coffee can also cause drug interactions.
Prevent the Risks of Green Coffee with the Following Tips
Apart from being a beverage, green coffee is also available in supplement form. However, you should consult a doctor first if you want to use it. This is important to do to prevent the occurrence of side effects or the risk of consuming green coffee.
The amount of green coffee that is considered safe for consumption is about 1-2 cups per day (maximum 3 cups).
People who have certain conditions, such as osteoporosis, indigestion, or menopause, are advised not to consume green coffee more than 2-3 cups. Meanwhile, for pregnant and lactating women, you should limit coffee consumption, including green coffee.
In addition to its unproven effectiveness, be aware of the side effects and risks of green coffee for health. Make sure to consume it according to safe limits and consult a doctor if you experience complaints after consuming green coffee.