Modulatory effect of coffee fruit extract on plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy subjects.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects
PubMed 23312069 · doi:10.1017/S0007114512005338
What was done
Fasted healthy subjects were randomly assigned to receive a single 100 mg dose of one of four test substances: whole coffee fruit concentrate powder (WCFC), green coffee caffeine powder (N677), grape seed extract powder (N31), or green coffee bean extract powder (N625). Two control groups were included: silica dioxide placebo and no treatment. Plasma samples were collected at baseline (time 0) and at 30-minute intervals up to 120 minutes to measure brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels.
What was found
Ingestion of WCFC increased plasma BDNF levels by 143% compared with baseline (reported as n 10 for this group). Ingestion of grape seed extract (N31) and green coffee caffeine powder (N677) each increased plasma BDNF by approximately 31% from baseline. The abstract reports no numerical data, variance, or findings for the green coffee bean extract (N625), placebo, or untreated control groups.
Why it matters
This study provides early human evidence that whole coffee fruit concentrate may acutely raise circulating BDNF, a neurotrophin involved in neuroplasticity and cognitive function.
Limits
The total sample size is not reported in the abstract, and the WCFC arm had only 10 subjects. The trial only tested an acute single dose over a 2-hour window, with no data on sustained effects, safety, or functional clinical outcomes. Comparative statistics versus placebo and the untreated control are omitted from the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Whole coffee fruit extract increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).