Home Ingredients PurCaf® (Organic Caffeine from Green Coffee — Applied Food Sciences)
EnergyAthletic Performance

PurCaf® (Organic Caffeine from Green Coffee — Applied Food Sciences)

Evidence Level
Strong
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

PurCaf® is a certified organic caffeine ingredient from Applied Food Sciences, made by water extraction of green coffee beans and sold as about 92% pure caffeine. The green coffee origin is a sourcing and labeling distinction: the caffeine molecule is the same as caffeine from any other source and works the same way, so the evidence here comes from caffeine research, not from trials of PurCaf itself. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain. A review of caffeine research found that low to moderate doses, from about 40 mg up to about 300 mg, improve alertness, vigilance, attention and reaction time, with less consistent effects on memory and complex decision making. A meta-analysis of 21 small crossover trials found that 3 to 9 mg per kg of body weight helped runners keep going longer before exhaustion. For healthy adults, the FDA cites 400 mg a day, though sensitivity to caffeine varies widely.

Studied Dose Alertness effects reported from about 40 mg to about 300 mg; physical performance effects mostly above about 200 mg (about 3 mg per kg). Running trials used 3 to 9 mg per kg. FDA cites 400 mg a day for healthy adults.
Active Compound Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) extracted with water from organic green coffee beans; sold as about 92% pure caffeine.

Benefits

Energy and alertness

Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. A review of caffeine research found that doses from about 40 mg to about 300 mg improve alertness, vigilance, attention and reaction time, including during restricted sleep. Effects on memory and complex decisions were less consistent.

Supported by Trial 1

Exercise performance in running trials

A meta-analysis of 21 placebo-controlled crossover trials in 254 runners found that 3 to 9 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight increased time to exhaustion by a medium amount and shortened running time trials by a small amount. The trials were small and mostly in men, and the authors call for more research in women and on the best dose.

Supported by Trial 1

Focus and reaction time

The same review reported faster reaction time and better sustained attention after low to moderate caffeine doses, and repeated doses helped people keep performing during restricted sleep. Higher-order thinking such as judgment and decision making showed less consistent changes.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Adenosine blockade

Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing the drowsy signal that adenosine normally sends and increasing alertness.

Clinical trials

1
Caffeine and Endurance Running (Meta-Analysis of 21 Trials)
PubMed

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trials of caffeine before endurance running, measured by time to exhaustion or time trials. Doses ranged from 3 to 9 mg per kg. (Wang et al. 2022, Nutrients)

254 recreational and trained runners (220 men, 19 women, 15 not reported) across 21 trials.

Caffeine increased time to exhaustion versus placebo (medium effect, Hedges g 0.39) and shortened time-trial times (small effect, g minus 0.10). Study quality was rated unclear to low risk of bias. The authors note that more research is needed in women and on the best dose. These trials used ordinary caffeine, not PurCaf specifically.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Too much caffeine can cause a faster heart rate, palpitations, raised blood pressure, trouble sleeping, anxiety, jitters, upset stomach, nausea and headache (FDA).
People differ widely in how sensitive they are to caffeine and how fast they clear it, so avoid it late in the day if it disturbs your sleep.
Count caffeine from all sources, including coffee, tea, energy drinks and other supplements. For healthy adults the FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects.

Important Drug interactions

The FDA notes that some medications can increase sensitivity to caffeine; if you take any regular medication, including stimulant medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist before adding a caffeine supplement.
Pregnancy, trying to become pregnant, breastfeeding or a medical condition: the FDA advises discussing caffeine limits with a health care provider.

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Frequently asked questions about PurCaf® (Organic Caffeine from Green Coffee — Applied Food Sciences)

What is PurCaf?

PurCaf® is a certified organic caffeine ingredient from Applied Food Sciences, made by water extraction of green coffee beans and sold as about 92% pure caffeine.

What is PurCaf used for?

PurCaf is researched primarily for Energy and Athletic Performance. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. A review of caffeine research found that doses from about 40 mg to about 300 mg improve alertness, vigilance, attention and reaction time, including during restricted sleep.

What is the recommended dosage of PurCaf?

The clinically studied dose is Alertness effects reported from about 40 mg to about 300 mg; physical performance effects mostly above about 200 mg (about 3 mg per kg). Running trials used 3 to 9 mg per kg. FDA cites 400 mg a day for healthy adults. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is PurCaf safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for PurCaf include: Too much caffeine can cause a faster heart rate, palpitations, raised blood pressure, trouble sleeping, anxiety, jitters, upset stomach, nausea and headache (FDA). It may also interact with some medications. PurCaf is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does PurCaf interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: The FDA notes that some medications can increase sensitivity to caffeine; if you take any regular medication, including stimulant medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist before adding a caffeine supplement. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for PurCaf?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for PurCaf as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Wang Z, Qiu B, Gao J, Del Coso J. Effects of Caffeine Intake on Endurance Running Performance and Time to Exhaustion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2022;15(1). doi: 10.3390/nu15010148.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 21 randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trials (254 runners): caffeine at 3 to 9 mg per kg increased time to exhaustion (medium effect) and slightly improved running time trials versus placebo. Tested ordinary caffeine, the same molecule PurCaf supplies.
  2. McLellan TM, Caldwell JA, Lieberman HR. A review of caffeine's effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016;71:294-312. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001.PubMedUsed to support: Review of caffeine research: caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors; low (about 40 mg) to moderate (about 300 mg) doses improve alertness, vigilance, attention and reaction time, with less consistent effects on memory and executive function; physical performance effects appear above about 200 mg (about 3 mg per kg), and repeated doses help maintain performance during restricted sleep.
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? FDA Consumer Updates. 2024;Content current as of August 28, 2024..SourceUsed to support: FDA consumer guidance (not PubMed-indexed): cites 400 mg a day for healthy adults as an amount not generally associated with negative effects, lists signs of too much caffeine, notes wide individual variation in sensitivity and clearance, and advises people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications or with medical conditions to discuss caffeine with a health care provider.
  4. Olivo L. PurCaf Provides Organic, Non-GMO Energy. Nutraceuticals World. 2014;Suppliers' Corner, May 12, 2014..SourceUsed to support: Trade press article (not PubMed-indexed): Applied Food Sciences makes PurCaf, a certified organic (Eco-Cert and USDA), non-GMO caffeine ingredient sold as a 92% pure caffeine extract from water-extracted green coffee beans. Sources the maker and composition only; it reports no clinical study of PurCaf.