The Truth About Coffee Bean Extract: Chlorogenic Acid Buried by Caffeine

When talking about coffee bean extract, the first thing most people think of is caffeine.However, this perception is being overturned by scientific research.In coffee beans, chlorogenic acid is quietly becoming a new focus of the health industry due to its excellent health benefits and biological properties.

01 A neglected treasure: What is chlorogenic acid?

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), also known as coffee tannin or 3-caffeoylquinic acid, is a water-soluble polyphenol phenyl acrylate compound produced by plants through the shikimic acid pathway during aerobic respiration.

Chlorogenic acid turns green when oxidized, which is similar to chlorine, hence the name chlorogenic acid.This substance is not unique to coffee; it is also widely found in plants such as eucommia, honeysuckle, peaches, apples and sweet potatoes.

The content of chlorogenic acid in coffee beans is very significant. The content of chlorogenic acid in unroasted coffee beans is as high as 543.23 mg/L.

02 Flavor Mystery: How Does Chlorogenic Acid Affect Coffee Taste?

Chlorogenic acid is not only a flavor substance with a high content in coffee beans,It is also the key source of coffee's bitterness.

Scientists have discovered that roasting coffee beans triggers a chain reaction：

Chlorogenic acid is first broken down into chlorogenic acid lactone. If baking continues, chlorogenic acid lactone will break down into another substance - phenyllindane.

Chlorogenic acid lactones produce only mild bitterness, while their secondary decomposition products produce strong bitterness. This is why dark roasted coffee tastes more bitter.

03 Health Guardian: The Multiple Benefits of Chlorogenic Acid

The health value of chlorogenic acid is far beyond that of caffeine. Scientific research has revealed its health benefits in many aspects:

1. metabolic regulation

Chlorogenic acid shows great potential in alleviating diabetes.Reduce blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin levels,and increased insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin, and glycogen levels.

Chlorogenic acid can also reduce glomerular hypertrophy and proliferation in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy, increase antioxidants, and reduce factors related to oxidation and inflammation

2. Cardiovascular protection

Chlorogenic acid reduces blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats in a dose-dependent manner.

3. Neuroprotection

Chlorogenic acid and its metabolites are believed to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the nervous system, improving memory and cognitive impairment.

4. Liver protection

Chlorogenic acid can activate Nrf2 and inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade, reduce serum liver enzyme activity, oxidation and inflammation, and alleviate liver damage caused by metals and chemicals such as sodium arsenite, lead, and cadmium.

04 Fat Buster: Chlorogenic Acid's Weight Loss Mechanism

Chlorogenic acid is particularly noteworthy for its role in weight management.The oxidant component of chlorogenic acid can enhance energy expenditure and fat oxidation.Its mechanism of reducing abdominal visceral fat may involve increased energy expenditure and increased fat burning.

05 Industrial Application: Market Prospects of Chlorogenic Acid

Chlorogenic acid is increasingly being used in the health industry. According to market reports, the coffee bean extract industry can be segmented into liquid green coffee bean extract, powder, capsules, or tablets.

It is mainly used in supplements, pharmaceuticals and other fields.

06 Extraction process: the key to retaining chlorogenic acid

The degree of roasting is key – the lighter the roast, the more chlorogenic acid is retained. Once the coffee beans are over-roasted, not only will the chlorogenic acid be almost completely decomposed, but the aroma and flavor will also be lost.

Therefore, in order to maximize the retention of chlorogenic acid, you might as well try a light roast with bright fruit acidity or a medium roast with caramel and cocoa nutty flavors.

The scientific value of chlorogenic acid is being gradually discovered. It is no longer just a foil to caffeine, but a leading ingredient in health.For the health industry,Chlorogenic acid represents a new opportunity to move from "functional food" to "medical nutrition"——It turns an ordinary cup of coffee into a healthy possibility.