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

Summary

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

Conditions

• Fat Metabolism
• Sport Nutrition
• Exercise Metabolism
• Inflammation
• Glucose Metabolism

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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.

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.

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fatma Özsel Özcan

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

25 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-01-01

Primary Completion

2025-05-18

Completion

2025-06-16

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations