Dosage
There is no standardised supplement dose. Most caffeic acid is consumed via foods or via products like coffee, tea, and propolis. Standalone supplements are rare. Ask your healthcare provider before high-dose use.
Ingredient guide
Caffeic Acid: Polyphenol Antioxidant and Evidence
Caffeic acid is a polyphenol antioxidant found in coffee, tea, fruits, and many herbs. Laboratory and animal evidence is rich, but human supplement trials of isolated caffeic acid are scarce. It is usually consumed as part of foods rather than as a standalone supplement.
Limited evidenceBenefits
- A potent antioxidant in laboratory studies, neutralising radicals via hydrogen donation.
- Acts as an anti-inflammatory in cell models by modulating NF-kB and other pathways.
- Found naturally in coffee, tea, blueberries, apples, honey, and propolis.
Evidence summary
What caffeic acid is
Caffeic acid is a polyphenol named after coffee, where it occurs in concentrated form. It is also found in tea, wine, blueberries, apples, cider, honey, and propolis. The structure makes it a hydrogen donor that can neutralise free radicals, which is the basis of its antioxidant reputation.
What the human research shows
Most of the strong work on caffeic acid sits in laboratory and animal studies, where its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity is well documented. Human trials of pure caffeic acid as a supplement are essentially absent. Most of its real-world contribution comes through coffee, tea, and fruit-rich diets, where it sits alongside many other polyphenols. We grade the evidence as limited at the supplement level.
Dosage & safety
Side effects
- Generally well tolerated as part of foods.
- Concentrated supplement forms are not well studied.
Interactions
- Caffeic acid may interact with medicines processed by the liver, so review it with your provider.
Warnings
- Speak with a doctor before regular high-dose caffeic acid supplements, since long-term safety data is limited.
- Most evidence is from food sources, not isolated supplements.
Products with this ingredient
Related ingredient guides
Citations
- Caffeic acid and diseases: mechanisms of action pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Phenolic acids of plant origin: antioxidant activity and biochemical properties ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Frequently asked questions
Is caffeic acid the same as caffeine?
No. Caffeine is a stimulant alkaloid. Caffeic acid is a non-stimulant polyphenol that shares part of the name and the coffee source.
Should I take caffeic acid as a supplement?
Probably not in isolation. Most evidence comes from foods rich in many polyphenols. A coffee, tea, and fruit-rich diet supplies plenty.