According to new research, a natural compound found in some plants can help to improve muscle health and function, according to research. There are potential health benefits associated with coffee, which contains the compound trigonelline.
Trigonelline is a molecule called an alkaloid and although it is found in particular high concentrations in coffee, it is also found in a variety of other plants including fenugreek, barley, corn, soybeans, onions and tomatoes.
Trigonelline levels in the blood of several species were positively correlated with muscle strength and function, according to a study published last week in the journal Nature Metabolism. Low levels were correlated with sarcopenia, an age-related loss of skeletal muscle volume and strength.
The discovery that a natural molecule from food interacts with the cellular hallmarks of aging was a thrill for us, said Jerome Feige, Ph.D., head of the physical health department at Nestlé Research in Switzerland, who led the research. There are promising translational applications for the effects of trigonelline on cell metabolism and muscle health as we age, said Feige.
Researchers from several countries, including the U.S., the U.K, Finland, Iran, and Australia, were involved in the work.
The power plants of cells become less effective as muscles age. The reduction in the amount of a molecule called NAD+ is a key reason for this. DNA repair and regulation, immune cell function, and mitochondrial function all depend on NAD+
The study found that trigonelline is a precursor to NAD+, meaning that it can be made from it in a cell. Other precursors of NAD+ include forms of vitamin B3 and the amino acid L-tryptophan, which are found in several foods including poultry, milk, cheese, oats and bananas.
When researchers supplemented mice with trigonelline, they found that their NAD+ levels increased, their mitochondria were more active, and their muscle function was better maintained as the animals aged.
The discovery of trigonelline as a novel NAD+ precursor and the potential of establishing interventions with NAD+-producing vitamins for both healthy longevity and age-related diseases applications expands our current understanding of NAD+ metabolism.
Declining NAD+ levels have been associated with cognitive decline, metabolic diseases, cancer, frailty, and muscle loss, and there is evidence that restoring NAD+ levels may mitigate some of these negative effects. In experiments in mice, trigonelline has been linked to improvements in memory, learning, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Boosting cardiovascular health is one of the potential health benefits of coffee. However, when consumed in large quantities, caffeine can cause numerous side effects, including drowsiness, nervousness, migraines and agitation. There are also a lot of added sugar and fat in coffee, which can have a negative impact on your diet if you don’t drink it in moderation, even though it’s very low in calories when drunk black.
The research was reported in the forbes.