Can You Eat Coffee Beans? All You Need to Know

Coffee beans have been eaten for hundreds of years or more.

It is thought that before coffee was developed as a beverage, its beans were often mixed with animal fat and consumed to boost energy levels.

Coffee beans provide the same nutrients as a cup of joe — but in a much more concentrated form.

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Because regular coffee is filtered and diluted with water, you only get a portion of the caffeine and other substances found in the whole bean.

Both the beneficial and negative effects of coffee are amplified when the beans are consumed whole.

As such, it is best to eat coffee beans in moderation.

That said, green coffee beans — which are raw — aren’t very pleasant to eat. They have a bitter, woody flavor and can be hard to chew. Roasted coffee beans are slightly softer.

Chocolate-covered, roasted coffee beans are often sold as a snack and are easy to find in your local store.

Summary

Coffee beans are safe to eat. However, consuming coffee beans in moderation is advised because their nutrients are more concentrated than liquid coffee’s.

While many studies have examined the benefits of coffee as a beverage, few have explored the effects of eating coffee beans.

Yet, consuming the beans likely provides some of the same benefits as sipping the drink. Here are some potential benefits of snacking on coffee beans.

An excellent source of antioxidants

Coffee beans are packed with powerful antioxidants, the most abundant being chlorogenic acid, a family of health-promoting polyphenols (1).

Studies show tthat chlorogenic acid combats inflammation and may protect against diabetes. Additionally, some studies suggest it may have cancer-fighting properties (2, 3, 4).

The amount of chlorogenic acid in coffee beans varies depending on the type of bean and roasting methods (5).

In fact, roasting can result in a 50–85% loss of chlorogenic acid — though coffee beans are still believed to be one of the best dietary sources (6, 7).

An easily absorbed caffeine source

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in a variety of food and drinks, including coffee and tea.

On average, eight chocolate-covered coffee beans provide an equivalent amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee (8, 9).

Caffeine impacts your brain and central nervous system, resulting in many benefits. For example, this substnace can boost energy, alertness, mood, memory, and performance (10, 11, 12).

One 2006 study found that drinking 2 cups of coffee with 200 mg of caffeine — the equivalent of around 17 chocolate-covered coffee beans — was as effective as a 30-minute nap at reducing driving mistakes (13).

In another study, a 60-mg shot of caffeine — about 1 espresso or 5 chocolate-covered coffee beans — resulted in improved contentment, mood, and attention (8, 14).

Caffeine works by inhibiting the neurotransmitter adenosine, which causes drowsiness and tiredness (15).

This chemical may also improve exercise performance and weight loss by boosting metabolism (16, 17).

Other potential benefits

Observational studies have linked coffee to multiple health benefits, including a reduced risk of the following (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26):

• death from all causes
• heart disease and stroke
• certain cancers
• liver illnesses, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis
• type 2 diabetes
• depression
• Parkinson’s disease

However, keep in mind that these benefits are based on observational studies — not rigorous controlled trials. Therefore, more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Summary

Coffee beans are a concentrated source of antioxidants and caffeine. They have anti-inflammatory properties that protect against certain diseases and boost energy and mood.

While eating coffee beans in moderation is perfectly healthy, eating too many may cause problems. Additionally, some people are sensitive to substances in the beans, which may lead to unpleasant side effects.

Heartburn and stomach upset

Certain compounds in coffee beans can cause stomach upset in some people.

This may occur because caffeine and other compounds present in coffee beans have been shown to increase stomach acid (27, 28).

This can lead to heartburn, an uncomfortable condition in which stomach acid pushes back up your esophagus.

It may also cause bloating, nausea, and stomach upset (29).

If you suffer from heartburn or have other stomach problems, you may want to avoid or limit your coffee and coffee bean intake.

Laxative effect

Drinking coffee exhibits a laxative effect in some people (30).

Caffeine does not seem to be the only culprit, as decaffeinated coffee was also found to increase bowel movements (31).

Although rare, even low doses of caffeinated coffee may cause diarrhea (32).

People with bowel conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), should consume coffee beans with caution.

Sleep disturbance

While caffeine in coffee beans can give you a much-needed energy boost, it can also lead to sleep problems — particularly in caffeine-sensitive individuals (33).

Studies suggest that people who are sensitive to caffeine or who consume too much are at a greater risk of struggling to fall and stay asleep, which can prompt daytime exhaustion (34).

If your sleep is affected by caffeine, reduce the amount you consume during the day — and avoid it for at least 6 hours before bedtime (35).

Other potential side effects

High caffeine intake is linked to other unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects, including:

• increased anxiety symptoms, such as palpitations, nausea, and feelings of stress (36, 37)
• withdrawal symptoms — including headaches, anxiety, tiredness, tremors, and poor concentration — if you abruptly abstain from coffee (38, 39)
• increased risk of pregnancy problems, such as miscarriage, low birth weight, and early labor (40, 41, 42)

If you are sensitive to caffeine, struggle with anxiety, or are pregnant, it may be best to limit or avoid eating coffee beans.

Likewise, if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, try reducing caffeine intake more gradually.

Summary

Eating too many coffee beans may cause a wide range of negative effects, such as heartburn, stomach upset, increased bowel movements, sleep problems, anxiety, and pregnancy complications.

The number of coffee beans you can safely consume comes down to a safe level of caffeine.

Although tolerance to caffeine varies, doses up to 400 mg per day — around 4 or 5 cups of coffee — are considered safe for healthy adults. Anything more than this may negatively impact your health (43).

There is currently insufficient data available to determine safe caffeine levels for children and teens, and they are likely to be more sensitive to its effects.

The amount of caffeine in coffee beans varies based on size, strain, and the duration of roasting.

On average, a chocolate-covered coffee bean contains around 12 mg of caffeine per bean — including the caffeine in the chocolate (8, 44).

This means that adults can eat around 33 chocolate-covered coffee beans without going over the recommended safe level of caffeine. However, these treats may also contain excessive calories, high amounts of fat, and added sugar — so it’s best to limit your intake.

What’s more, if you are consuming caffeine from other foods, drinks, or supplements, you may want to moderate your coffee bean consumption to avoid any unpleasant side effects.

Summary

Caffeine levels in coffee beans vary depending on roasting methods and bean type. While you can eat quite a few without exceeding safe caffeine limits, snack varieties are often covered in chocolate and may be unhealthy if consumed in excess.

Coffee beans are safe to eat — but should not be consumed in excess.

They’re packed with antioxidants and caffeine, which may boost energy and lower your risk of certain diseases. However, too many may cause unpleasant side effects. Chocolate-covered varieties may also harbor excess calories, sugar, and fat.

That said, when eaten in moderation, coffee beans can be a safe and healthy way to get your caffeine fix.