Consumption of Coffee Polyphenols Increases Fat Utilization in Humans

Long-term ingestion of coffee polyphenols (CPP) reduces body fat in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of daily consumption of CPP on energy metabolism in humans. Seven healthy male subjects, with a mean (+/- SEM) age of 34.7 +/- 2.0 y and a body mass index (kg/m(2)) of 21.8 +/- 0.6, participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover intervention study with two different test beverages. The subjects consumed 185 g of a test beverage with or without CPP (359 mg) daily for 1 week. Energy metabolism was evaluated by indirect colorimetry before and after the test period after fasting and up to 3.5 hr postprandially, and during cycle ergometry. Indirect calorimetry showed that, compared to 1-week ingestion of the control beverage, 1-week ingestion of the CPP beverage led to significantly higher oxygen consumption in the sedentary period and during the cycle ergometry. CPP beverage consumption led to a higher fat utilization in the sedentary period and a higher anaerobic threshold during exercise compared with control beverage consumption. In conclusion, daily consumption of CPP increases postprandial fat utilization in healthy humans.