People who take extraordinary steps to limit their carbohydrate exposure may still be experiencing higher-than-desired blood sugar levels throughout the day. Studies show even in people with normal fasting glucose levels, gaining control of after-meal surges may provide additional support for cardiovascular and metabolic health. Green coffee extract is a natural compound that addresses this widespread problem. In fact, a 400 mg dose was shown to induce a remarkable 24% drop in after-meal blood sugar after 30 minutes while 200 mg generated a 14% drop! The reason is chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol found in the green coffee bean. Chlorogenic acid has been shown to inhibit excess activity of glucose-6-phosphatase. The glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme triggers glucose formation from non-carbohydrate substrates and glycogen release from the liver, both of which can create excess glucose in the blood. Neutralizing excess glucose-6-phosphatase is essential for most people to achieve optimal glucose control. Another means by which chlorogenic acid supports healthy after-meal glucose levels is by targeting the inhibition of the alpha-glucosidase enzyme. This intestinal enzyme breaks apart complex sugars and enhances their absorption into the bloodstream.9 Chlorogenic acid also increases the signal protein for insulin receptors in liver cells.
