The Effects of Acute Chicory Coffee Consumption on Exercise Performance and Metabolism

NCT ID: NCT07094191

Last Updated: 2025-07-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

22 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-01-01

Study Completion Date

2025-06-16

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the acute effects of chicory coffee on metabolism and exercise performance in healthy, moderately active male participants aged 18-25. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does chicory coffee influence glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism after exercise?

Does chicory coffee affect physical performance and perceived fatigue levels?

Researchers will compare chicory coffee (CC), arabica coffee (AC), and a no-drink control to see if chicory coffee has similar or unique metabolic and performance effects compared to caffeinated coffee or no intervention.

Participants will:

Consume one of the test beverages (chicory coffee, arabica coffee, or no drink) 45 minutes before performing a shuttle-run test

Complete a standardized shuttle-run exercise test

Undergo blood sample collection before and after exercise to assess glucose, lactate, LPL, TNF-α, adiponectin, and IL-6

Rate their perceived exertion and record symptoms

Detailed Description

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This study used a single-blind, randomized, controlled crossover design involving 22 healthy, moderately active male participants aged 18-25. Each participant underwent three intervention conditions in a randomized order:

Chicory coffee (CC)

Arabica coffee (AC)

Control (no beverage)

Before each trial, baseline data-including health status, dietary habits, and body composition-were collected. Participants consumed the assigned beverage 45 minutes before performing a shuttle-run test designed to assess endurance and physical performance. A 3-day washout period separated each intervention session to eliminate carryover effects.

During each session, pre- and post-exercise measurements included:

Blood glucose, lactate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation

Subjective fatigue assessed by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

Additionally, venous blood samples were collected after exercise and analyzed for key metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers:

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

Adiponectin

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

All blood samples were processed under cold-chain conditions and analyzed using ELISA methods. Dietary intake was monitored, and participants were instructed to maintain their usual eating habits while avoiding other caffeinated beverages during the study period.

Statistical analysis included MANOVA and ANOVA, with Bonferroni corrections used for multiple comparisons.

Conditions

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Fat Metabolism Sport Nutrition Exercise Metabolism Inflammation Glucose Metabolism

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

This study used a single-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover design in which each participant received all three interventions (chicory coffee, arabica coffee, and control) in a randomized order. A 3-day washout period was implemented between each intervention to minimize carryover effects. The crossover model allowed within-subject comparisons of metabolic and performance responses to each beverage condition.
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Chicory Coffee Arm

Participants in this arm consumed a standardized dose of chicory coffee (180 mL), a caffeine-free beverage rich in polyphenols and inulin, 45 minutes prior to the shuttle-run test. This arm was designed to assess the effects of chicory coffee on metabolism, inflammation, and exercise performance.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Chicory Coffee (Caffeine-free, polyphenol-rich beverage from roasted chicory root)

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

A single oral dose of 180 mL chicory coffee prepared by steeping 20 grams of roasted and ground chicory root in hot water (approximately 90°C) for 5 minutes. The beverage was administered once, exactly 45 minutes before exercise, as part of a single session within a randomized crossover design. Chicory coffee is naturally caffeine-free, and rich in inulin and polyphenols, which are standardized in each preparation. No additional ingredients (milk, sugar, or flavoring) were added.

Blood lactate, glucose, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels were measured both before and after the exercise. In addition, venous blood samples were collected post-exercise to assess serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and LPL.

Arabica Coffee Arm

Participants in this arm consumed a standardized dose of arabica coffee (180 mL), a regular caffeinated coffee, 45 minutes prior to the shuttle-run test. This arm served as a comparison to evaluate how caffeine-containing coffee influences metabolic and performance-related parameters.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

arabica coffee

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

A single oral dose of 180 mL Arabica coffee prepared by steeping 20 grams of roasted and ground chicory root in hot water (approximately 90°C) for 5 minutes. The beverage was administered once, exactly 45 minutes before exercise, as part of a single session within a randomized crossover design. Chicory coffee is naturally caffeine-free, and rich in inulin and polyphenols, which are standardized in each preparation. No additional ingredients (milk, sugar, or flavoring) were added. Blood lactate, glucose, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels were measured both before and after the exercise. In addition, venous blood samples were collected post-exercise to assess serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and LPL.

Control Arm

CONTROL ARM

Group Type OTHER

no beverage control

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants underwent the shuttle run exercise protocol in a fasted state, without consuming any food or beverages prior to the test. Blood lactate, glucose, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels were measured both before and after the exercise. In addition, venous blood samples were collected post-exercise to assess serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and LPL.

Interventions

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Chicory Coffee (Caffeine-free, polyphenol-rich beverage from roasted chicory root)

A single oral dose of 180 mL chicory coffee prepared by steeping 20 grams of roasted and ground chicory root in hot water (approximately 90°C) for 5 minutes. The beverage was administered once, exactly 45 minutes before exercise, as part of a single session within a randomized crossover design. Chicory coffee is naturally caffeine-free, and rich in inulin and polyphenols, which are standardized in each preparation. No additional ingredients (milk, sugar, or flavoring) were added.

Blood lactate, glucose, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels were measured both before and after the exercise. In addition, venous blood samples were collected post-exercise to assess serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and LPL.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

arabica coffee

A single oral dose of 180 mL Arabica coffee prepared by steeping 20 grams of roasted and ground chicory root in hot water (approximately 90°C) for 5 minutes. The beverage was administered once, exactly 45 minutes before exercise, as part of a single session within a randomized crossover design. Chicory coffee is naturally caffeine-free, and rich in inulin and polyphenols, which are standardized in each preparation. No additional ingredients (milk, sugar, or flavoring) were added. Blood lactate, glucose, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels were measured both before and after the exercise. In addition, venous blood samples were collected post-exercise to assess serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and LPL.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

no beverage control

Participants underwent the shuttle run exercise protocol in a fasted state, without consuming any food or beverages prior to the test. Blood lactate, glucose, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels were measured both before and after the exercise. In addition, venous blood samples were collected post-exercise to assess serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and LPL.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Male participants aged 18 to 25 years

Healthy status based on self-report and screening (no diagnosed chronic disease)

Moderately physically active (minimum 3 days/week of physical activity)

No regular use of medication or dietary supplements

Non-smoker

No caffeine consumption for at least 7 days prior to and during the study

Willing and able to provide informed consent

Able to complete the shuttle-run test as instructed

Exclusion Criteria

Diagnosed with metabolic, cardiovascular, or inflammatory disease

Regular caffeine use or caffeine withdrawal symptoms

Use of alcohol, stimulants, or performance-enhancing substances during the study

Known allergy or intolerance to chicory or coffee

Participation in another clinical study within the last 30 days

Any musculoskeletal or respiratory condition that prevents safe participation in exercise

Inability to comply with the dietary or testing protocol
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

25 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Fatma Özsel Özcan

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Fatma Özsel Özcan

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Halic University

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Saunders TJ, Palombella A, McGuire KA, Janiszewski PM, Despres JP, Ross R. Acute exercise increases adiponectin levels in abdominally obese men. J Nutr Metab. 2012;2012:148729. doi: 10.1155/2012/148729. Epub 2012 May 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22701167 (View on PubMed)

Yamashita K, Yatsuya H, Muramatsu T, Toyoshima H, Murohara T, Tamakoshi K. Association of coffee consumption with serum adiponectin, leptin, inflammation and metabolic markers in Japanese workers: a cross-sectional study. Nutr Diabetes. 2012 Apr 2;2(4):e33. doi: 10.1038/nutd.2012.6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23169586 (View on PubMed)

Diaz-Lara FJ, Del Coso J, Garcia JM, Portillo LJ, Areces F, Abian-Vicen J. Caffeine improves muscular performance in elite Brazilian Jiu-jitsu athletes. Eur J Sport Sci. 2016 Nov;16(8):1079-86. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2016.1143036. Epub 2016 Feb 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26863885 (View on PubMed)

Bonnema AL, Kolberg LW, Thomas W, Slavin JL. Gastrointestinal tolerance of chicory inulin products. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010 Jun;110(6):865-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.03.025.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20497775 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2015-KAEK-79-23-03

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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