Chlorogenic acid - properties, side effects, sources

Chlorogenic acid has many properties. In one study, chlorogenic acid was shown to reduce the absorption of sugar, thus helping people struggling with diabetes. Apparently, it is also a good means of losing weight. However, despite this, opinions about chlorogenic acid are divided among scientists. What is the effect of chlorogenic acid? What are the side effects of its use? What are the natural sources of chlorogenic acid? Are the products with chlorogenic acid offered by the pharmacy always wholesome? What is the price of chlorogenic acid?

Chlorogenic acid is caffeoylquinic acid, abbreviated as CGA, as well as green coffee extract. It has many properties, the most famous of which are slimming properties.

Chlorogenic acid - what is it and where does it occur?

Chlorogenic acid is an antioxidant commonly found in plant tissues. It occurs in fairly large amounts in:

• green coffee - unlike green coffee beans, roasted coffee beans contain much smaller amounts of this compound, because it is broken down during thermal treatment
• cocoa seeds
• chokeberry and blueberry fruits
• mulberry fruit and leaves
• in herbal spices

Chlorogenic acid is also found in honey. Research shows that the following acids are dominant in honeys: chlorogenic, coffee and ferulic .² Their content in domestic honeys is quite varied (from 0.3 to 103.2 mg / kg). The most abundant in these phenolic acids turned out to be the honeys of linden, buckwheat and heather, containing an average of 36.6; 17.3 and 20.3 mg / kg of the above phenolic acids. The lowest levels of chlorogenic, coffee and ferulic acid were found in multiflorous, rapeseed and acacia honeys

In addition, chlorogenic acid and its isomers make up about 90 percent. all phenolic compounds found in potato tubers. It is also present in tea, tomatoes and eggplants. Another source of chlorogenic acid is yerba mate and nettle.

Chlorogenic acid and slimming

Is chlorogenic acid a good weight loss aid? Some argue that chlorogenic acid reduces the amount of sugar absorbed in the digestive tract. This leads to the body being forced to use up previously accumulated reserves. In this way, it is supposed to support weight loss.

The slimming properties of chlorogenic acid prove, among others, clinical trials of Norwegian scientists that were carried out on 12 healthy volunteers. They were served instant coffee enriched with chlorogenic acid. It turned out that it reduced glucose absorption by 6.9%. compared to the control group.

Chlorogenic acid reduces the absorption of sugar from the gastrointestinal tract and improves the sensitivity of tissues to insulin.

A second, comparative, randomized, double-blind, 12-week study investigated the effect of chlorogenic acid on the body weight of 30 overweight people. The subjects were divided into two groups. One got instant coffee with chlorogenic acid and the other without chlorogenic acid. The mean weight loss in the group that consumed chlorogenic acid was 5.4 kg, and in the group that consumed normal coffee - 1.7 kg.

The researchers therefore concluded that soluble coffee enriched with chlorogenic acid appears to have a significant impact on the absorption and use of glucose from the diet. This effect - if coffee is used over a long period of time - can reduce weight and body fat.

However, one cannot draw too broad conclusions from a study with such a small number of participants. In addition, doctors also pay attention to the large amount of caffeine contained in the green coffee extract. A strong stimulant effect can induce a weight loss effect, so it is not certain whether the main substance for slimming is caffeine or chlorogenic acid. It is also unknown whether the slimming effect is permanent. It seems that after discontinuation of chlorogenic acid, there may be a new increase in body weight, or the "yo-yo effect".

You can risk the statement that chlorogenic acid as a dietary supplement can be helpful in reducing body weight, provided that the diet is modified at the same time. However, it cannot be ruled out that weight gain again after the discontinuation of this compound.

Chlorogenic acid and diabetes

Chlorogenic acid lowers blood sugar levels, so it can be used by people struggling with diabetes. This is what follows, among others from the research of scientists from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania (USA).

Non-diabetic subjects (both female and male) were given 100 mg to 400 mg of the extract daily in a water capsule, and were then tested for glucose tolerance. At the end of the study, tests showed that green coffee extract was effective in lowering blood sugar levels in each participant.

Those taking the highest dose, 400 mg, experienced the greatest drop in blood glucose, although all doses resulted in a significant reduction in blood sugar.

"If chlorogenic acid can affect glucose levels in a normal person, it should do even better for diabetics because they have a problem," said study author Joe Vinson.

The researchers also noted that they noticed that participants who consumed this green coffee extract for 22 weeks lost about 10 percent. body weight.

Chlorogenic acid in the chemoprevention of neoplastic diseases

Chlorogenic acid is of great importance in the chemoprevention of neoplastic diseases. The presented results of experiments carried out on animals indicate the high effectiveness of chlorogenic acid as a protective agent of liver cells against poisoning with carbon tetrachloride and with cobalt and cadmium isotopes.

Where do these properties come from? Chlorogenic acid belongs to the group of phenolic acids, which are a group of plant chemopreventive compounds. Chlorogenic acid has the ability to block carcinogens produced by metabolic transformation of some carcinogenic substances. Chlorogenic acid has the ability to inactivate free radicals.

Chlorogenic acid is also an anti-inflammatory agent, shows choleretic properties, inhibits the transformation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system.

Chlorogenic acid - antibacterial and antifungal properties

Studies have shown that chlorogenic acid inhibited the growth of bacteria and yeast fungi, molds and dermatophytes, such as: golden staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, faecal streptococcus, blue oil rod, Candida albicans, Penicillium chrysogenum or Trichophyton mentagrophyton mentagrophyton.

Chlorogenic acid - side effects and contraindications

Most of the research on chlorogenic acid shows that it is a fairly safe dietary supplement.

However, one study showed that the use of chlorogenic acid in combination with a high-fat diet not only does not contribute to weight loss, but also does not protect experimental animals against the adverse metabolic consequences of such a diet.

Other studies suggest that high doses of chlorogenic acid may increase the inflammatory response.

Due to the high caffeine content, such preparations are not recommended for pregnant women and very young people who are under 16 years of age. People who suffer from heart disease or hypertension should not reach for green coffee supplements as well.

If we use chlorogenic acid in the prescribed doses, it will be completely safe.

Worth knowing

Chlorogenic acid - where to buy.

Chlorogenic acid can be purchased at the pharmacy. It is most often green coffee bean extract in the form of tablets containing chlorogenic acid (800 CGA). It is available on the market as a dietary supplement.