Weight loss in a pill contains coffee bean

Published : Mar 29, 2012 - 11:07 Updated : Mar 29, 2012 - 16:32

Green -- unroasted -- coffee beans might be the weight-loss pill that has been sought for so long, a U.S. researchers suggested.

Joe Vinson of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania and colleagues said the study involved 16 overweight or obese people ages 22-26, who took capsules of the extract or capsules containing a placebo, an inactive powder, for a total of 22 weeks.

A worker displays coffee bean containing coffee berries, also known as cherries, that were collected on a plantation in Fortin, Veracruz, Mexico (Bloomberg)

The low dose consisted of 700 milligrams of the coffee extract, and the high dose was 1,050 mg. This "cross-over" study cycled participants through the two doses and the placebo, each for six weeks. Such studies have advantages because each person serves as his or her own "control," improving the chances of getting an accurate result, Vinson explained.

"The study participants' calories, carbohydrates, fats and protein intake did not change during the study, nor did their exercise regimen change," Vinson said.

Participants lost an average of 17 pounds during the 22 weeks of the study -- an average of a 10.5 percent decrease in overall body weight and a 16 percent decrease in body fat.

"Based on our results, taking multiple capsules of green coffee extract a day -- while eating a low-fat, healthful diet and exercising regularly -- appears to be a safe, effective, inexpensive way to lose weight," Vinson told the American Chemical Society symposium in San Diego.

Vinson said the green coffee beans' effects were likely due to chlorogenic acid, which is present in unroasted coffee beans. (UPI)

<한글 기사>

“생커피콩 체중감량에 효과적이다”

미국 연구진이 체중감량에 볶지 않은 생커피콩이 효과적이라는 연구를 발표했다.

펜슬베니아주 스크랜턴 대학교(University of Scranton) 의 조 빈슨과 동료 연구원들은 22세에서 26세 사이 비만이거나 과체중인 16명을 대상으로 총 22주간 커피 추출물이 담긴 캡슐과 플라시보(비활성 약품)을 복용하도록 했다.

700mg, 1050mg의 커피 추출물을 포함한 캡슐과 플라시보를 각각 6주간 복용한 결과 참가자들은 평균 7.9kg을 감량한 것으로 나타났으며 평균적으로 10.5%의 체중을 감량하고 체지방은 16% 감소한 것으로 나타났다.

“저지방의 음식과 식이요법, 규칙적인 운동과 함께 생커피콩의 추출물을 복용하는 것이 안전하고 효과적이며 저렴한 체중감량 방법이다” 빈슨은 말했다

빈슨은 생커피콩에 다량 함유된 클로로겐산(chlorogenic acid)이 다이어트 효과를 내는 것으로 보인다고 말했다.