Chlorogenic acid is one of the main caffeic acids found in coffee that has antioxidant properties. It's also found in sunflower seeds, carrots, tomatoes and artichokes. Its ability to lower blood glucose levels may benefit those who have diabetes. However, research on humans needs to be conducted.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition in which your body doesn't use the hormone insulin efficiently, resulting in chronically elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, diabetes increases your risk for chronic inflammation, eye damage, heart disease and kidney failure. Diabetes is defined as having fasting glucose levels of 126 mg/dl or higher, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Chlorogenic Acid with Tetrahydrocurcumin
Chlorogenic acid combined with tetrahydrocurcumin might be effective for reducing blood glucose levels, according to an animal study conducted by researchers at Annamalai University in India. Scientists observed that diabetic rats consuming chlorogenic acid with tetrahydrocurcumin daily for 45 days experienced decreases in HbA1c, an indicator of blood sugar control over a three month period, and increases in insulin levels, according to research reported in the March 2010 issue of ""General Physiology Biophysics."
Inhibits Glucose Absorption
Scientists at State University of Londrina in Brazil studied the impact of chlorogenic acid on blood glucose. They discovered that one of the ways chlorogenic acid reduces blood glucose levels is by inhibiting its absorption in the small intestine. This prevents glucose from entering the blood stream and raising blood sugar. Further research is needed. The findings were reported in the April 2008 issue of ""Cell Biochemistry and Function."
Insulin Secretion
Another way chlorogenic acid helps to reduce blood sugar levels is by increasing insulin. Researchers at NutriGuard discovered that chlorogenic acid increases the release of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which in turn boosts the activity of transcription factor IDX-1. Transcription factor IDX-1 increases insulin secretion, which helps to lower blood sugar, according to research reported in the 2005 issue of "Medical Hypotheses."
References
- Mayo Clinic; Diabetes; March 2011
- "General Physiology Biophysics"; Combined Treatment of Tetrahydrocurcumin and Chlorogenic Acid Exerts Potential Antihyperglycemic Effect on Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats; K. Karthikesan et al.; March 2010
- "Cell Biochemistry and Function"; Chlorogenic Acid Reduces the Plasma Glucose Peak in the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test; Effects on Hepatic Glucose Release and Glycaemia; B.K. Bassoli et al.; April 2008
- "Medical Hypotheses"; A Chlorogenic Acid-Induced Increase in GLP-1 Production May Mediate the Impact of Heavy Coffe Consumption on Diabetes Risk; M.F. McCarty et al.; 2005
