Khaberni - Often, many think of a cup of coffee as just a morning stimulant, but a recent study reveals that roasted coffee may contain unknown compounds that possess a strong ability to lower blood sugar - potentially more powerfully than some drugs currently used to treat Type II diabetes.
The study, led by a team from the Bio-Tech Institute in China, used advanced techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid mass spectrometry to uncover hidden chemical compounds in roasted Arabica coffee beans that were previously unknown.
New compounds challenge sugar enzymes
The compounds discovered by the researchers - a group of diterpenoid esters temporarily named Caffaldehydes A, B, and C - demonstrated strong ability to inhibit an important enzyme in carbohydrate digestion called glucosidase. This enzyme contributes to the breakdown of sugars in the intestine, thus affecting the speed at which sugar enters the blood after eating.
More importantly, these new compounds showed stronger activity in the lab than a common diabetes drug called «Acarbose», which works by inhibiting this enzyme. This suggests exciting future potential for using natural compounds extracted from coffee to develop functional foods or dietary supplements to support blood sugar control.
Coffee.. more than just a daily drink
The researchers explained that the identification of these beneficial compounds was made possible thanks to a new research strategy combining high-resolution analytical tools and advanced techniques for mapping molecular networks. This enabled the team not only to identify the main compounds but also others at minute levels that were previously difficult to detect.
And this might indicate that roasted coffee is not just a source of caffeine, but could also be a box filled with healthy chemical elements that contribute to reducing the risks of some chronic diseases if used strategically in future nutrition.
What do these findings mean for diabetes patients?
While the results in the lab are promising, this does not mean that a cup of coffee alone can replace medical drugs or treatments prescribed by a doctor. However, these discoveries open new doors for future research aimed at developing dietary supplements or functional foods that help regulate blood sugar along with traditional treatment options.
The researchers emphasize that the next step will be to test these discovered compounds in real human studies to confirm their safety and efficacy, and how they can be safely incorporated into the diet of patients.
