Chlorogenic acid is found in Coffee mostly and a lot of plant compounds; it holds promise in many aspects of health and cognition similar to Bioflavonoids and shares some effects similar to Caffeine but less potent. May decrease the absorption of dietary carbohydrate.
Chlorogenic acid is a phytochemical found in coffee and coffee beans. It has been touted as being able to reduce blood sugar levels and potentially exert an anti-diabetic effect. It has also been implicated in weight loss and exerting an anti-obesity effect, but that is insofar correlation and not necessarily due to chlorogenic acid.
It can be beneficial to supplement, although doses found in food sources are enough for a long-term preventative (anti-diabetic) measure.
Chlorogenic Acid from Green Coffee Beans
Chlorogenic acid is a natural compound found in raw green coffee beans but when the coffee beans are roasted, the chlorogenic acid is mostly destroyed. So, the potential healthy benefits from drinking regular coffee (i.e. coffee brewed from roasted coffee bean) would likely be significantly less than if taking a green coffee chlorogenic acid nutritional supplement.
Green coffee bean extract is generally consumed as a supplement since drinking liquid coffee made from unroasted coffee beans would have a bitter unpleasant taste, and would not provide the desired dosage of chlorogenic acid.
Recent research has suggested chlorogenic acid may improve retinal health. Other research suggests that chlorogenic acid inhibits the release of glucose into the blood stream. Japanese researchers did a study in 2005 using a placebo for some participants and green coffee bean extract on the others, in a test of the potential effects of the substance on people with mild hypertension. The result was lower blood pressure and no negative side effects. Much of the research into the various potential benefits from coffee has focused on chlorogenic acid.
There have been many stories in the mainstream media over the past few years suggesting that there are many potential health benefits from regular coffee consumption. A lot of that research has focused on chlorogenic acid, the potentially powerful antioxidant in raw green coffee beans. Research is ongoing.