It turns out that coffee contains trigonelline, a natural molecule that brings many benefits to the human body.
Thanks to the results of the latest study, more possibilities have opened up to overcome a special condition called sarcopenia. This is a gradual weakening of the muscles that occurs due to changes at the cellular level associated with aging. Over the years, muscle mass decreases significantly, which, as a result, leads to deterioration of physical activity and well-being.
The progression of sarcopenia occurs mainly due to a decrease in the cofactor NAD+ in cells and a decrease in energy production by mitochondria (cell organelles that help produce energy). Scientists have realized that in elderly people with sarcopenia, the level of trigonelline is significantly reduced.
Experiments were conducted on models that showed that, thanks to the addition of trigonelline, the level of NAD+ increases and the activity of mitochondria is stimulated. That is, muscle function is preserved during aging. This discovery is just one part of a broader investigation into the mechanisms of sarcopenia. It is based on the results of previous research.
As Associate Professor Vincenzo Sorrentino of NUS Medicine’s Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program explains, their research has helped advance understanding of the NAD+ mechanism and revealed that trigonelline is a precursor to NAD+ and can be used as a stimulator for it to support longevity and treat certain age-related diseases.
Of course, Vincenzo emphasizes that physical activity and proper nutrition are also important for maintaining muscle health in old age.
The head of Nestlé Research’s physical health department, Jerome Fargie, expressed optimism about the results of the study. He said that the benefits of trigonelline for cellular metabolism and muscle health during aging have been discovered. This natural molecule is found in coffee and fenugreek. And therefore, it is worth adding the drink to your daily diet, if you have no contraindications to it.
