Introduction:Although Starbucks' recently launched new products such as 'Pink Cold Brew' do not contain traditional coffee, they contain 45 to 55 milligrams of caffeine due to the addition of green coffee bean extract. What is the basis behind the formulation and health claims of these 'raw coffee' beverages? This article delves into the characteristics of green coffee bean extract, the differences in weight loss effects compared to roasted coffee, and provides experimental data to help you understand the true value of these trendy drinks.

Starbucks’ newly launched Pink Drink series, with Chinese names such as '粉粉生咖' (Pink Raw Coffee) and '粉莓檸力生咖' (Pink Berry-Lemon Raw Coffee), has sparked heated discussion upon its debut. These beverages boast refreshing fruit flavors but have been dubbed 'raw coffee' due to the inclusion of green coffee bean extract. In fact, these drinks do not contain traditional coffee in the conventional sense; instead, they provide a small amount of caffeine through green coffee bean extract, with each cup containing approximately 45 to 55 milligrams.

Many consumers wonder, if there’s no black coffee, why call it 'raw coffee'? Checking the ingredient information on Starbucks’ U.S. website reveals that the juice base used in these drinks contains components extracted from green coffee beans — this is the origin of the 'raw coffee' name. Such a naming strategy has also left many consumers puzzled upon first hearing it, sparking lively discussions on social media platforms.

Notably, the attention these 'raw coffee' drinks have garnered stems not only from their novel names but also from the health claims behind them. In recent years, so-called 'raw coffee' products have emerged on the market, claiming to offer better antioxidant and fat-reducing benefits. Particularly, research on combining raw coffee beans with roasted coffee beans suggests that this combination may have a positive impact on metabolism.

To verify the actual effects of raw coffee on weight loss, scholars conducted a four-week controlled experiment. Participants were divided into two groups: one drank a cup of raw coffee before breakfast, while the other drank a cup of black coffee. The experimental data showed that after two weeks, the raw coffee group lost an average of about 1.59 kilograms, while the black coffee group lost only about 0.13 kilograms; by the fourth week, the raw coffee group had lost an average of about 2.01 kilograms, compared to just 0.25 kilograms in the black coffee group.

This data disparity highlights the potential of raw coffee in promoting weight loss. Research indicates that green coffee beans are rich in chlorogenic acid, an active compound that can enhance insulin sensitivity and thereby regulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. This has positive implications for preventing and improving chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

However, it is worth noting that these experimental results primarily focus on pure raw coffee or green coffee bean extract. Once these components are added to beverages high in sugar, their health benefits may be significantly diminished. Therefore, although Starbucks’ new offerings like '粉粉生咖' provide a certain level of caffeine intake and are relatively low in caffeine compared to regular coffee drinks, their effects on weight loss or metabolic regulation may not be as pronounced as those seen in the experiments.

In summary, Starbucks’ '粉粉生咖' series, by incorporating green coffee bean extract, gives the drinks a trace amount of caffeine and a unique name. Although their weight loss effects may not be as evident as those of pure raw coffee, they still represent a noteworthy option for consumers seeking low-caffeine drinks with mild stimulation. Understanding these ingredients and the scientific background can help you make smarter choices when selecting coffee beverages.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.