Effects of Green Coffee Bean Extract Supplementation on Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major worldwide public health problem with no effective treatment options. Green coffee bean extract (GCBE) is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals with a variety of biochemical and physiological effects. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of GCBE on the management of patients with NAFLD. Methods 44 patients with NAFLD were enrolled in a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants were administered either GCBE or placebo (1 gram/day) for 8 weeks. They also were advised to follow a standard energy-balanced diet and physical activity. Liver ultrasonography, anthropometric variables, and biochemical parameters were compared at pre- and post-intervention. Results GCBE significantly improved the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, free fatty acids (FFAs), fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to the placebo group. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between the two groups in body weight, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL-C to HDL-C ratio, insulin, degree of steatosis, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Conclusions GCBE supplementation may benefit patients with NAFLD. These beneficial effects may be due to the possible ability of GCBE to improve insulin sensitivity and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.