Trigonelline
Summary
Trigonelline is a coffee alkaloid related to niacin. In 15 overweight men, a single 500 mg dose lowered glucose and insulin 15 minutes into a glucose test but not over 2 hours (grade D). A 2024 study found it raises NAD+ in cells and animals and is lower in people with sarcopenia; no supplement trial has tested muscle or ageing outcomes.
Key facts
- An alkaloid structurally related to nicotinic acid (niacin) and one of the major components of coffee[1][3]
- 500 mg once reduced glucose (−0.5 mmol/L) and insulin at 15 minutes of an oral glucose test; 2-hour totals were unchanged[1]
- The same 500 mg dose did not change GLP-1 or GIP responses[2]
- Incorporated into NAD+ in worms, mice and human muscle cells; blood levels were lower in people with sarcopenia and tracked with muscle strength[3]
- 2 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedTrigonelline enters the NAD+ pool through the Preiss-Handler pathway (via nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase) without activating the niacin receptor GPR109A. This was shown in cells and animals, not in supplement trials in people.[3]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose and insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test | Mixed | Grade D | Crossover RCT · n = 15 · 2009 Overweight men Form: Trigonelline · Dose: 500 mg single dose · Duration: Single dose Glucose (−0.5 mmol/L) and insulin (−117 pmol/L) were lower 15 minutes into the test than with placebo; area under the curve over 2 hours did not differ. | 19324944 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| GLP-1 and GIP responses | No effect | Grade D | Crossover RCT · n = 15 · 2011 Overweight men (same trial) Form: Trigonelline · Dose: 500 mg single dose · Duration: Single dose No change in GLP-1 or GIP secretion versus placebo. | 21299855 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
Forms
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from a single 500 mg dose of trigonelline in the only published trial; daily use has not been tested.[1][2]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- People on glucose-lowering drugs
- A single dose lowered early glucose and insulin; combined effects with diabetes drugs have not been studied.[1]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- No safety data in the trials we cite.[1]
- Anyone expecting muscle or anti-ageing effects
- The muscle and NAD+ findings come from animals and cells; no human supplement trial has tested them.[3]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Trigonelline
Products from brands we partner with that contain Trigonelline. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkTrigonelline2 capsules: 300 mg trigonelline hydrochloride; 30 servings. Below the single 500 mg dose tested in the glucose study; daily use has not been studied. Listed as limited quantity when checked.Shop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
Is trigonelline an NAD+ booster?
In cells, worms and mice it is converted to NAD+. Whether supplements raise NAD+ in people has not been reported.[3]
Does trigonelline lower blood sugar?
A single 500 mg dose lowered glucose and insulin early in a glucose test, but not over the full 2 hours.[1]
Is trigonelline in coffee?
Yes. It is one of the major components of coffee, tested alongside chlorogenic acid in the glucose study.[1]
Sources
- [1]Acute effects of decaffeinated coffee and the major coffee components chlorogenic acid and trigonelline on glucose tolerance.. Diabetes Care, 2009. crossover-RCT
- [2]Acute effects of decaffeinated coffee and the major coffee components chlorogenic acid and trigonelline on incretin hormones.. Nutr Metab (Lond), 2011. crossover-RCT
- [3]Trigonelline is an NAD(+) precursor that improves muscle function during ageing and is reduced in human sarcopenia.. Nat Metab, 2024. observational
What changed
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, year and journal taken from the PubMed record) and abstracts read for each cited row. Product details in Where to buy read from the brand page on the date shown. Self-reviewed in a second strict pass, then checked by an independent adversarial fact-check against the PubMed abstracts and live product pages. No credentialed medical reviewer yet.