Buying guide for best green coffee bean supplements
For the past several years, green coffee bean supplements have been one of the go-to solutions for those interested in weight loss. This antioxidant-rich supplement contains both caffeine and chlorogenic acid in a formula that is used not only in weight management but also to boost energy, stabilize blood sugar levels, and help treat a variety of conditions.
When you first set out to purchase green coffee bean supplements, you will find a wide variety of brands and formulas to choose from. This guide can help you to navigate through the supplement maze with information on the various factors you’ll face when trying to decide on the right supplement for you.
Should you buy caffeinated or decaffeinated supplements? Is it better to buy capsules, tablets, or the powdered form? What additives should you be aware of? How much should you pay? We answer these questions, and more.
Key considerations
Supplement form
Green coffee bean supplements ship in several forms, including capsules, tablets, and powder.
Capsules: These are usually in the form of softgels, which can be easier to swallow and tend to dissolve quickly. Note their size, because some capsules can be large, which some people may find more difficult to take.
Tablets: Tablets are usually formed by pressing the green coffee bean extract into pill form. While some people may find them harder to swallow than capsules, they generally work the same way.
Powder: Green coffee bean supplement powder is usually added to a liquid, such as coffee, which you then drink. Unlike capsules or tablets, the taste may be an issue for some people. Powder can also be less convenient to take than capsules. On the plus side, the powder form can be a more affordable option than either capsules or tablets.
Dose
Manufacturers typically recommend taking no more than 200 milligrams per serving, or not more than 800 milligrams per day. You need to be particularly careful with supplements that contain caffeine because you could ingest too much of it.
If you’re taking the supplement in capsule or tablet form, know how many milligrams are in each pill, as this can vary considerably. Most pills contain 400 milligrams, with recommendations that you take two pills a day. Some pills contain considerably less, which can push your pill count up to four or even six a day.
Whether in pill or powder form, manufacturers usually recommend that you take this supplement half an hour to an hour before a meal.
Quantity
Rather than counting pills, pay more attention to the number of days a container of pills or a package of powder will last. Some supplements may seem like an incredible deal for a large number of pills until you realize that you need to take six pills a day to meet the daily recommended dose. To realize true value for your money, pay attention to the number of days the container will last, not the number of pills you’re buying.
Quality
Vegetarian/vegan: Some green coffee bean supplements indicate that they’re vegetarian or vegan. These supplements are made from 100% non-animal-derived ingredients, with capsules made of some form of vegetable cellulose. Supplements that are not vegetarian/vegan may have capsules made from an animal-based source like gelatin.
Organic: If a supplement is listed as organic, it signifies that it is free from harmful substances such as pesticides and insecticides. Be sure that the supplement is certified as organic, and that the manufacturer is not just using the term “organic” without the weight of certification behind it.
Non-GMO: Similar to organic supplements, some green coffee bean supplements are non-GMO. This signifies that the supplement is manufactured using only non-genetically modified ingredients. If this is an important consideration for you, keep an eye out for this information on the packaging or listing.
Made in the USA: Supplements that are made and packaged in the United States may be safer than those that aren’t. This isn’t always the case, but if the supplement is manufactured in an FDA-certified facility that is GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified, you will almost certainly be buying a product that has gone through more safety checks than supplements made elsewhere.
Did you know?
Some randomized studies have shown that people taking green coffee bean supplements can lose up to 12 pounds in three months.
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Caffeinated or not
As these supplements are made from green coffee beans, it should come as no surprise that they naturally contain caffeine. Caffeine can be an effective appetite suppressant and can also boost energy, but some customers may not be comfortable with some of the side effects, just as anxiety or jitteriness, that can result from taking caffeine. Those customers may want to try decaffeinated green coffee bean supplements. These supplements have had most of the caffeine removed, leaving all the chlorogenic acid. Note that even after decaffeination, the supplements still contain some caffeine, often up to 2% or more.
Chlorogenic acid
One of the primary ingredients in this supplement that can help with weight loss is chlorogenic acid. When purchasing a green coffee bean supplement, know what level of chlorogenic acid it contains, typically between 45% and 50%, with higher percentages generally signifying higher potency.
Other ingredients
Many green coffee bean supplements contain additives that help their effectiveness. Some common additives include the following:
Fat-blocking enzymes: These can help to flush fat from the liver.
Black pepper extract: This acts as an aid to absorption.
Coconut oil: This aids weight loss by helping you to maintain ketosis.
Magnesium stearate: Also known as stearic acid, this is used to more easily form pills or fill capsules.
Did you know?
Green coffee beans are not a special kind of coffee bean. They’re simply coffee beans that haven’t been roasted.
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Green coffee bean supplement prices
Prices for green coffee bean supplements run from $10 to $30 or more for a supply. The average price for a bottle or package is around $13 to $18. At the lower price points, you can expect to find more generic supplements, in addition to bottles that last fewer days. In general, a higher price buys you a larger supply of the supplement and usually a higher-quality product that has been made and packaged in an FDA-certified plant.
Note that your best strategy for receiving your money’s worth is to figure out how much the supplements cost per day as opposed to how much you’re paying per pill. Also, in most cases, buying green coffee bean supplements in powdered form — while less user-friendly — can save you a considerable amount in the long run.
Did you know?
The current popularity of green coffee bean supplements can be traced to a Dr. Oz television segment in 2012.
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Tips
- Check the ingredients carefully. If you’re allergic to nuts, soy, gluten, or other foods, verify that the supplements don’t contain such ingredients and are not manufactured using equipment that is exposed to these allergens.
- Do not take green coffee bean supplements if you’re on a blood thinner. This supplement may increase bleeding.
- Keep all supplements away from pets. Cats and dogs can’t metabolize caffeine. Never allow your pets to consume any product with caffeine in it. Even minor amounts can be lethal to a cat or dog.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The amount of green coffee bean extract you should take in a given day depends on a number of factors, including age, overall health, and the specific green bean extract used. Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for its product. Also, you might want to start with 1/4 or 1/2 of the recommended dosage, evaluate how you feel after a week, and work your way up to a full daily dose.
- Measure the powder carefully. If you’re buying a powder-based green coffee bean supplement, check that it comes with a measuring scoop, so you’ll know how much supplement you are receiving each time you take it. You can also pick up a precision scale and use that to measure out a consistent daily amount.
- Be aware of the manufacturer’s return policy. Some sellers offer a full refund for the product if you’re unhappy with it and return it within a specific time period.
Other products we considered
Much like any other type of supplement, there are lots of options available when you decide to try green coffee bean supplements. To cut through the clutter, we want to mention a few more of our favorites. The Evolved Advantage Green Coffee Bean Extract is an affordable option that offers a 30-day supply. It’s both made and packaged in the US.
Natures Craft Weight Cleanse combines garcinia cambogia extract with green coffee beans and raspberry ketones. Each bottle lasts 30 days.
And if you’re more into powder, try the BulkSupplements Green Coffee Bean Powder. You receive 100 grams of powder in all, or enough for a 166-day supply at 600 milligrams a day.
FAQ
Q. Are there negative side effects associated with using these supplements?
A. Some users have reported side effects associated with the use of green coffee bean supplements, usually from the caffeine. These side effects include jitteriness, anxiety, and diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. To lessen or alleviate these side effects, try using a green coffee bean supplement that is decaffeinated. Other side effects that have been reported include headaches, constipation, and dehydration.
Q. Why can’t I just drink coffee and receive the same weight-loss benefits?
A. A number of weight-loss benefits associated with green coffee bean supplements — absorption of carbohydrates, lowered blood sugar, faster fat burning — are a result of the chlorogenic acid in the supplement. When coffee beans are roasted, much of the chlorogenic acid in the beans is destroyed. As such, simply drinking coffee made from roasted coffee beans, while tasty, won’t provide you with the same benefits as supplements made from raw coffee beans.
Q. Are green coffee bean supplements safe to take?
A. Generally speaking, and for the majority of healthy people, the answer is yes. That said, green coffee bean supplements can vary in terms of strength and additives. Also, people can react differently to these supplements due to a number of factors, such as age or overall health. In some instances, green coffee bean supplements can even adversely affect a person’s health (for example, people on blood thinners or those with anxiety). Your best course of action is to check with your doctor before starting any supplement regimen.
