Seeking to "add value" to coffee silverskin - the thin skin on the outer layer of the green coffee bean - researchers from Valencia-based Biopolis and the Institute of Food Science Research in Madrid evaluated its use as an ingredient in a beverage "for body fat reduction and body weight control."
As detailed in their study, A novel antioxidant beverage for body weight control based on coffee silverskin, the Spanish team produced powdered coffee silverskin from Arabica and Robusta coffee silverskin.
The silverskin powders, rich in caffeine, chlorogenic acid (CGA) and fibre, were then infused with boiling water for varying period to produce beverage samples.
Nematodes, a type of microscopic worm, were obtained to test the hypothesis.
Assessment showed a "very clear significant dose-response effect on reducing accumulation of body fat."
This effect increased with higher concentrations of the compound.
On the back of their findings, the team concluded that beverages made from Robusta and Arabica coffee silverskin extracts are "potentially of interest in body weight control and prevention of obesity and diabetes."
"Therefore, it can be stated that the new beverage made from roasted coffee silverskin extract, under the assay conditions in this study, showed biofunctional qualities comparable to the commercial dietary supplement in terms of body fat reduction," said the study.
"It is a natural alternative to dietary supplements for the prevention of excess weight and obesity."
Source: Food Chemistry doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.10.100
Title: A novel antioxidant beverage for body weight control based on coffee silverskin.
Authors: N Martinez-Saez, M Ullate, M Martin-Cabrejas, P Martorell, S Genoves, D Ramon, M Dolores del Castillo.