Nancy Dell: Green Coffee Bean extract; ragweed-like foods

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -  

1. Everyone I know is trying Green Coffee Bean Extract to lose weight. Does it work?
Samantha, Internet

Green Coffee Bean Extract is another supplement that received rave reviews on one TV show and the sales skyrocketed.

The green Coffee Beans are just coffee beans that have not been roasted. They contain chlorogenic acid which claims to boost metabolism and inhibit the absorption of fat. When coffee beans are roasted, the chlorogenic acid is destroyed.

There has been 1 study that was published in the journal Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Obesity. In this study 16 people asked to keep a food record for 22 weeks. Over that time, researchers alternated giving the people a placebo or Green Coffee Bean Extract. From the food record the researchers could see that the participants ate the same foods the entire time but when the participants were taking green Coffee Bean Extract they lost weight, an average of 10 percent of their body weight and 16 percent of their body fat.

This is exciting and sounds like a miracle supplement. But it is just 1 study and in my clinical practice I see most people do not see that the Green Coffee Bean extract makes a difference. Some clients say it seems to reduce their hunger and reduces their blood sugars.

Experts say, we need more studies to see who can actually benefit form taking it.

2. I am allergic to ragweed. Are there foods related to it that I need to avoid?
Tony, Internet

The fall is when the ragweed causes problems for some people.

More than 50 percent of these people will also have a reaction to some foods even when there is no ragweed pollen in the air.

These foods are honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon as well as zucchini, cucumbers and bananas.