Green coffee is associated with reduced blood glucose levels among normoglycemic adults, according to a study presented at the American Chemical Society's Spring 2013 National Meeting & Exposition, held from April 7 to 11 in New Orleans.

Noting that previous research has linked green coffee with weight loss in overweight and obese individuals, Joe Vinson, Ph.D., of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, and colleagues examined the effect of green coffee on the blood sugar levels of 56 normoglycemic adults. Participants underwent glucose tolerance testing at baseline and after receiving 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg green coffee extract. The researchers found that there was a dose-response effect with a significant reduction in blood sugar compared with baseline for all doses of green coffee extract. Remarkably, no gastrointestinal side effects were reported.

"A simple natural pill or capsule that would both help control blood sugar and foster weight loss at the same time would be a major advance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes," Vinson said in a statement. "Our own research and studies published by other scientists suggest that such a treatment may, indeed, exist. There is significant epidemiological and other evidence that coffee consumption reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes."