Status
Conditions
Treatments
About
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
Full description
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.
Enrollment
Sex
Ages
Volunteers
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
Primary purpose
Allocation
Interventional model
Masking
22 participants in 3 patient groups
Loading...
Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
Clinical trials
Research sites
Resources
Legal