Post-Meal Coffee Changes Metabolic Markers

Coffee contains a number of compounds – most notably, polyphenols that numerous previous studies suggest exert beneficial effects for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.  Japanese researchers enrolled 19 healthy men in a study in which each subject was given a test meal with a polyphenol-rich coffee drink (365 mg of chlorogenic acids), or placebo drink; subjects later crossed over to the other intervention.  Testing 3hours after the meal revealed that the coffee polyphenol beverage lowered blood glucose significantly, and increased flow mediated dilation (FMD) – a marker of blood flow and vascular health.  As well, the coffee polyphenol beverage increased post-meal levels of an appetite-regulating hormone (GLP1).  The study authors write that: "these results suggest that coffee polyphenol consumption improves postprandial hyperglycemia and vascular endothelial function, which is associated with increased GLP-1 secretion and decreased oxidative stress in healthy humans.”