The active constituent in coffee that is responsible for its many health benefits is a compound called chlorogenic acid. It neutralizes free radicals, and addresses the problem of hydroxyl radicals, both of which can lead to cellular degeneration if left unchecked. Chlorogenic acid also helps regulate metabolism. Compared to green tea and grape seed extract, green coffee bean extract is twice as effective in absorbing oxygen free radicals.
One of the advantages of using the green coffee bean extract is that the negative effects of coffee are avoided. The chlorogenic acid is thought to boost metabolism by changing the way glucose is taken up by the body. And it does contain caffeic acids, which give a boost to energy levels like regular coffee does. But unlike boiled coffee, green coffee bean extract contains no cafestol, which is a diterpene. Along with its diterpene relative kahweol, cafestol increases concentrations of the ?bad? cholesterol, LDL, to levels that over a lifetime might increase the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 20% These diterpenes also had an effect on the levels of liver enzymes measured. When these are elevated it is an indicator of stress on the liver. However the study that measured this found this was a transient effect, and also that the levels of liver enzymes were much lower than those with liver disease.
As a side note on the health effect of the diterpenes found in regular coffee, it was found that by simply drinking filter coffee, none of these effects on cholesterol levels or the liver took place. The coffee filter removed the offending diterpenes. And levels of these diterpenes in instant coffee are low.
Other benefits of green coffee bean extract include an increase in the effectiveness of pain killers, especially for migraine medications; a reduction in the risk of diabetes; and assisting the body burn a higher proportion of lipids (fats) compared to carbohydrates, which could help with muscle fatigue for athletes and bodybuilders.
Interestingly, on the subject of caffeine and liver disease, further studies have indicated it may in fact support liver health for some people. Those who were at high risk of developing liver disease due to drinking too much alcohol were found less likely to suffer liver damage if they drank more than two cups of coffee or tea a day. This was a population based study, not a clinical trial, and so is not conclusive on the subject. But it does offer some promising information. Those drinking in excess of two cups or more a day were half as likely to develop liver disease compared to those drinking less than one cup a day. Researchers do not know what caused this protective effect.
One of the criticisms of coffee in regards to health is that it leaches calcium from the bones. But this effect has been found to be overemphasized, at least in children. And adults who consume a diet with sufficient levels of calcium will be protected from the small amount of calcium that is lost due to coffee consumption.
So the old axiom that caffeine can stunt a child's growth is a myth. It was based on the fact that in older studies, caffeine was associated with low bone mass because those studies were done on elderly people who both drank a lot of coffee and had diets that were low in calcium. Recent studies in the US followed 80 teenagers over 6 years, and found no difference in the bone density of those with a high level of caffeine in their diet, compared to those teenagers who had little caffeine. Other studies determined that the amount of calcium lost from bones is small and can be balanced by having sufficient calcium in your diet.
References: Australian Healthy Food Magazine, January. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp'n=643516&m=1FSND06&idP=2&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arch/11_30_96/food.htm
Green tea has been gaining popularity worldwide because of its beneficial effect to those who regularly drink it. More and more people are getting into the habit of making green tea as a supplement for their water drinking habits because green tea taste better than other drinks. Adding green tea into one's liquid diet promotes a good well being and mental relaxation due to the presence of the friendly and non-protein amino acid known as L-Theanine.
The amino acid L-Theanine is predominantly found in green tea leaves or what is scientifically known as Camelia Sinesis. This non-protein amino acid contributes to the formation of inhibitory neurotransmitter called Gamma Amino Butyric Acid. The GABA aids other neurotransmitters which causes a relaxing effect on humans. It also affects the production of alpha brain waves which also cause deep state of relaxation and enhanced mental clarity. Aside from causing a relaxing state for the mind, recent studies also showed that L-Theanine also promotes healthy blood pressure level, cause better concentration and learning by promoting mental clarity, aside from improving the body's immune systems.
Although other teas containing caffeine has stimulatory effect on tea drinkers behavior, it is somewhat a wonder why green tea causes a relaxing effect instead. Research and studies explains this fact by pointing out that L-Theanine in green tea acts against the stimulatory effects of the caffeine, thus instead of stimulating the nerves, the L-Theanine relaxes the nerves and produces a soothing and calming sensation. This is due to the fact the L-Theanine contributes to the production of alpha brain waves, or that stage of brain waves where it is awake in a relax state.
L-Theanine constitutes 1-2 percent of the weight of green tea leaves making it the most dominant amino acid in green tea leaves. This also causes the predominant and distinct taste of green tea which makes it a very pleasant drink to consume. In fact, this distinct taste has made green tea a widely consumed drink worldwide. This is the reason why, people are getting into the habit of regularly drinking tea.
Aside from the relaxing benefits of L-Theanine on the mind, it also improves memory retention and learning ability. This is due to the fact that L-Theanine has a significant effect on the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. And with the increase in the release of dopamine, L-Theanine also affects the human emotions.
L-Theanine also reduces the effects of stress which cause high blood pressure. Contrary to popular belief that green tea and the L-Theanine contained in it causes drowsiness, L-Theanine does not produce Theta waves which contributes to sleepiness nor does it cause drowsiness. L-Theanine is a good way of reducing stress because of its relaxing components.
And lastly because of the relaxing effects of L-Theanine on the human brain, the emotional aspect of the person is affected as well. When humans are in a relax mood, their emotion follows which produces a pleasant behavior.
With these many benefits of L-Theanine in green tea leaves, the question to ask now is, whether it is safe and how much of it individuals should take in. The good news is that L-Theanine is a perfectly safe amino acid which does not have any limitations on the amount one should take. L-Theanine should be taken in at the first sign of a stress to stop the symptoms from aggravating. The intake of L-Theanine causes one to feel the effects within thirty minutes and could last for 8-10 hours. There is no know side effects of L-Theanine, that's why it can be taken by anyone either in capsule form or in leaf form via green tea solution.
As further studies are being pushed through on the benefits of L-Theanine, researchers are looking into other beneficial effects of the amino acids. Researchers are looking into further developing L-Theanine as a treatment for PMS, regulating of blood pressures and as an anti-cancer agent.
In the meantime, take L-Theanine as it is a very beneficial amino acid which can be taken in by almost anyone except children and pregnant or nursing women. Green tea doesn't cost too much and is readily available in the market.
Both Rebecca Prescott & Roberto Bell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Rebecca Prescott has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Yoga Practice and Woman Menopause. If you want a gentler source of caffeine that also has antioxidant benefits, try green tea. Find out more about the