Svetol, green coffee extract, induces weight loss and increases the lean to fat mass ratio in volunteers with overweight problem

In order to test the effects of Svetol, a green coffee extract rich in chlorogenic acids with specific ratio between 5-caffeoylquinic acid and others caffeoylquinic acid isomers, on weight loss, 50 volunteers with body mass index superior to 25 were selected. They were randomized in two groups, control group (n = 20) receiving placebo, treated group (n = 30) receiving Svetol. Each volunteer took one capsule of Svetol or placebo twice a day with main meal, for 60 days. Changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), Muscle Mass/Fat Mass ratio (MM/FM) and self-evaluation of physical aspect were recorded at T0 and T60. After 60 days of treatment, a mean reduction in weight of 4.97 +/0.32 kg (5.7%) was observed in the Svetol group compared to control group in which the mean reduction was 2.45 +/0.37 kg (2.9%) (p < 0.001). Consequently, body mass index decreased significantly in Svetol group compared to control group. Moreover, MM/FM ratio was increased significantly in Svetol group compared to control group: 4.1 +/0.7% vs 1.6 +/0.6 respectively (p = 0.01). The significant decrease of weight, boby mass index and fat mass showed that Svetol is able to exacerbate effect of a bland low caloric diet in volunteers who have overweight. This effect could be explained by increasing the consumption of fatty deposits, as shown by change in the MM/FM ratio, and by preventing them from being accumulated. To conclude, Svetol could be used to aid the dietetics prescription in a useful and positive manner.