Chlorogenic acid is a phytochemical found in green coffee beans. Chlorogenic acid belongs to the hydroxycinnamate group of phytochemicals, which are aromatic acids or phenylpropanoids. Studies have shown that green coffee bean extracts are able to increase the metabolic rate of humans, suggesting they may have thermogenic effects. Green coffee bean extracts that have these effects are around 50 % chlorogenic acid. Such extract may also decrease blood lipid levels, and the mechanism for this may relate to their ability to improve insulin sensitivity. Therefore the overall effect of green coffee bean extracts is to cause weight loss effects. The mechanism of action of green coffee bean extracts and chlorogenic acid has been investigated. One suggestion is that hydroxycinnamates such as chlorogenic acid is able to inhibit the phosphodiesterase enzyme and this potentiate the effects of cAMP. This upregulates protein kinase A and results in increased metabolic activity in the cell. One of the effects of this metabolic upregulation could be an increase in the oxidation of fatty acids. The insulin sensitising effects may relate to the antioxidant effects of chlorogenic acid, something that have been shown to decrease insulin resistance in cells.
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Stohs, S. J. and Badmaev, V. 2016. A review of natural stimulant and non‐stimulant thermogenic agents. Phytotherapy Research. 30(5): 732-740
