EXERCISE

Many studies have shown that plants can be therapeutic alternatives in the prevention or treatment of various diseases. Among these, green coffee may present different pharmacological effects related to the regulation of glycemia and lipid metabolism and is related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of using green and ripe coffee on the metabolic profile and muscular enzymes after the practice of physical exercises in Wistar rats. We included six groups: G1 (control group), G2 (group submitted to swimming), G3 (group that consumed green coffee), G4 (group that consumed green coffee and was submitted to swimming), G5 (group that consumed ripe coffee), and G6 (group that consumed ripe coffee and was submitted to swimming). Our results showed that there was a significant reduction in the percentage of visceral fat in G3, G5, and G6. We did not observe significant modifications in glycemia, lipids, lactate dehydrogenase, ferric reducing ability of plasma, and ferric-xylenol orange. The levels of creatine phosphokinase showed a reduction in the groups G2 and G4. No significant differences were found in the atherogenic indices. There is a global demand for natural compounds that can be safe, cheap, related to minimum side effects, and provide health benefits. Our results show that the use of green or ripe coffee may contribute to reduce the percentage of visceral fat and consequently may protect against further complications once this tissue produces proatherogenic hormones. Furthermore, green coffee may play a role in protecting muscle injury after the practice of physical exercises.