Researchers from the National University of Singapore reported that a naturally occurring compound found in coffee, trigonelline, may support muscle performance and help prevent muscle breakdown. The findings were published in Nature Metabolism, signaling a growing interest in how everyday beverages could influence aging muscles and overall metabolic health.
The study enrolled 186 men aged 60 and older and followed them closely to uncover connections between daily habits and physical function. Investigators gathered comprehensive health data, drew blood samples, and assessed grip strength with a digital dynamometer, a precise device that records the force produced when squeezing with one hand. Participants also completed a detailed account of their eating patterns, including how often they drank coffee and the typical beverages on their daily menus. This combination of biochemical measurements and lifestyle information allowed researchers to explore links between coffee-derived compounds and muscular capability in an aging population.
What emerged is an association between the intake of trigonelline and a stronger grip, which is a widely used proxy for overall muscle function. The researchers propose that trigonelline aids muscle performance by promoting the activation of a cellular cofactor called NAD+. This coenzyme is essential in every cell and plays a central role in translating nutrients into usable energy while orchestrating a broad set of metabolic processes that sustain muscle activity and endurance. The implication is that the compound helps muscles function more efficiently at a cellular level, contributing to better strength outcomes in the older cohort. These observations appear to bridge a gap between a common dietary component and measurable improvements in muscle health, suggesting a potential nutritional strategy for maintaining strength with age .
Further analysis indicated that activating NAD+ boosted the performance of mitochondria, often described as the energy powerhouses inside muscle cells. When mitochondria operate more effectively, energy production increases, which can translate into improved muscle function and resilience. The authors highlighted that this positive effect of trigonelline is linked to a lowered risk of sarcopenia, a condition characterized by age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that can impact mobility and independence. In the context of aging populations in North America, these findings offer a plausible mechanism by which a regular coffee habit might contribute to healthier aging processes, though they emphasize that more work is needed to determine long-term outcomes and optimal intake levels .
In the same discussion, the study notes that other substances can activate NAD+, including the amino acid L-tryptophan and certain forms of vitamin B3 such as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside. Each of these molecules participates in pathways that influence energy transfer and cellular repair, underscoring a broader landscape of nutrient interactions that could support muscle health across diverse diets. The authors stress that while these activators are intriguing, the practical implications for dietary recommendations require careful consideration, personalized approaches, and further clinical validation before broad adoption in public health strategies.
Overall, the research adds to a growing body of work examining how everyday foods and their bioactive compounds can influence muscle integrity in later life. The study also acknowledges that while laboratory and observational data are promising, translating these insights into concrete guidelines for preventing sarcopenia will demand longer-term studies, diverse populations, and assessments of real-world coffee consumption patterns. The emphasis remains on understanding the biological underpinnings—how compounds like trigonelline interact with cellular energy systems to preserve muscle structure and function over time .
Earlier scientific efforts explored new approaches to accelerate muscle regeneration after injury, highlighting a broader interest in how metabolic modulators might support recovery and maintenance of muscle tissue. These prior findings complement the Singaporean study by illustrating that manipulating energy pathways can have practical benefits for both everyday performance and post-injury healing, signaling a continuum of research aimed at healthier, more active aging for people in Canada, the United States, and beyond .