As much as we’d like it to be true, there’s no magic bullet when it comes to losing weight. But that certainly doesn’t stop millions of Americans from trying to drop a few with any of the growing number of overly hyped weight loss products on the market. Still, tried-and-true weight loss ingredients like green tea, glucomannan fiber, 7-keto and African mango do exist and may safely offer extra support to people who are also following a healthy diet and exercise program.

Now another all-natural ingredient is attracting a buzz among weight loss enthusiasts. According to a placebo-controlled study in the January 18, 2012, issue of Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, unroasted green coffee bean extract helped participants drop pounds and lower their body mass index (BMI) even though they didn’t change their diets. But before you start thinking that this is the holy grail of weight loss, let’s look at the facts.

The study, which was conducted at Pennsylvania’s University of Scranton, included just 16 moderately overweight participants. Each was given either a high dose (1,050 mg) or a low dose (700 mg) of green coffee bean extract or a placebo for six weeks, followed by a two-week “washout” period. The participants were then given either a different dose or the placebo for another six weeks. The six week treatment/two week washout routine continued for a total of 22 weeks. During this time, the participants were told not to change their diet and were not advised to exercise or otherwise increase their level of physical activity. 

When the participants took the highest dose, they lost more weight. The lower dose also led to weight loss, just not quite as much. Not surprisingly, little if any weight was lost with the placebo. On average, the participants lost a total of 17.5 pounds during the course of the study. BMI went from an average of 28 to 25 and body fat dropped nearly 5 percent. While these results need to be confirmed by larger studies, they are quite promising. 

“This level of weight loss is much better than most weight loss drugs approved by the FDA, and the compliance and safety profiles are much better,” notes Mary Mulry, PhD, nutritionist and president of FoodWise, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to the creation and technical aspects of high-quality natural and organic foods and dietary supplements. “This level of weight loss—about one to two pounds per week—is considered ideal for most people, as it gives the body a chance to acclimate to a lower weight over a longer period of time.”

Earlier studies point to yet another benefit of green coffee bean extract—the ability to lower blood sugar levels. Research at the University of California, Davis, which was published September 2002 in the journal Flavor and Fragrance, found that one of the compounds in green coffee beans called chlorogenic acid targets a key enzyme that triggers post-meal blood sugar spikes by a whopping 32 percent. Another study that appeared in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry showed that chlorogenic acid increases insulin sensitivity. This also helps regulate blood sugar levels. Chronically high blood sugar is a contributing factor to metabolic syndrome and can lead to pre-diabetes. It can also speed the aging process. 

Because radical swings in blood sugar also contribute to food cravings and poor appetite control, this may be another way the chlorogenic acid in green coffee bean extract aids weight loss. Another 12-week, placebo-controlled clinical study testing the effectiveness of green coffee bean extract in overweight and obese people, published in the Journal of International Medical Research in November 2007, found that chlorogenic acid reduced the absorption of dietary sugar by 6.9 percent. As a result, participants lost up to 11 pounds during the course of the study. 

“Green coffee extract also contains antioxidants, which are good for supporting processes that affect age-related conditions,” says Mulry. This gives green coffee bean extract something that most other weight loss ingredients lack: a clear health benefit beyond its fat-burning abilities. 

Looked at together, these clinical trials suggest green coffee bean extract may be the real deal when it comes to helping users shed those extra pounds in a healthy and sensible way. But be aware that these results were accomplished under strict clinical conditions. Unless you pair your green coffee bean supplement with a regular exercise program and a low-calorie diet that limits refined carbohydrates, “real world” results may differ significantly. 

It’s also important to choose your supplement wisely. A pure green coffee bean extract contains about 8 mg of caffeine per average dose—about what you’d get in two cups of decaffeinated coffee. However, some weight loss supplements on the market today combine green coffee bean extract with other thermogenic stimulants like guarana, synephrine and even pure caffeine. By “stacking” stimulants, these supplements can leave you jittery and may contribute to insomnia. If you are sensitive to stimulants, proceed with caution.

Interested in more weight loss advice? Here are Three Unexpected Reasons You Might Be Gaining Weight.