Caffeine May Be Essential To Your Life But Understanding Its Impact On Your Energy And Blood Sugars Is Critical To Your Diabetes Management
You are not alone if you view your morning cup of coffee as a magical gulp of happiness.
Coffee is such a strangely wonderful thing. So many of us across the globe feel as though we cant start our day without it and thats not such a bad thing in small quantities, right?
For people with type 1 diabetes, coffee is still magicalbut it can also be a little tricky.
Lets take a look at why and how coffee can quickly spike your blood sugar.
High Blood Pressure And Coffee
Now, let me say a word about coffee and people with high blood pressure. Should you drink coffee if you have high blood pressure?
Of course, you can drink coffee if you have high blood pressure. But you need to be careful.
Heres why?
When your blood pressure rises with coffee use, the effect is not responsive to high blood pressure medications. It is a sustained effect that is not easily reversed with high blood pressure pills.
Secondly, the effect of coffee or caffeine on people with high blood pressure is much more dramatic compared to people without high blood pressure .
So, whereas, you may have a rise of 6 mmHg systolic in someone without high blood pressure, you who has high blood pressure may experience a systolic rise of 12 mmHg or higher.
Now remember, I said earlier on that BP increase with coffee does last up to 3 hours. Imagine, if you are one of those people who drinks several cups of coffee a day.
Imagine a situation where youre constantly topping up your coffee fix when you are experiencing a caffeine crash every 4 hours or so. What do you think will happen?
Your elevated blood pressure reading will be sustained. Because whenever your blood pressure is beginning to settle, you spike it again with your top-up coffee.
Can you see how you can sabotage your blood pressure control efforts by your coffee drinking habits?
Heres something else
Everyone is different when it comes to coffee and blood pressure. How?
Which one are you?
Suggested further reading:
How Does Caffeine Affect Blood Sugar
How coffee coffee and diabetes? Healthline healthline nutrition diabetes url? Q webcache. My friend Gretchen Becker, who also writes here at Healthcentral, has done just that. In fact, not only people with diabetes, but also some coffee lovers like each one. Over the past few weeks, I have been testing whether coffee consumption increases my blood sugar levels. The short-term studies of June 2017 linked the consumption of caffeine and coffee with the increase
Video credits to Bridget Kaufman YouTube channel
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Important Conclusion On The Effect Of Coffee On Diabetics
An important study initiated by the Harvard School of Public Health has shown that people who drink one cup of coffee per day have an 11-per cent less chance of having type 2 diabetics. At the same time, people who have decreased the consumption of coffee to one cup have an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetics by 17-per cent. Out of the 1109272 people subjected to the study, 45335 had diabetes. However, with the end of the study, which included participants from 20-years to 10-months, the conclusion was that caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee lowered the risk of type2 diabetics. However, there is one thing you should know, coffee has a negative effect on an overweight person.
Why Caffeine Impacts Glucose And Insulin
But why does caffeine impair glucose metabolism? Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system , a metabolite that helps regulate our energy levels.
In the brain, adenosine acts as a neurotransmitter and promotes restful sleep by tamping down the activity of neurostimulators like dopamine. Caffeine can bind to adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing adenosine from binding at those sites and curbing its ability to inhibit dopamine. The effect: we feel more alert. Scientists have found genetic variation in those adenosine receptors among different people, which may explain why individual responses to caffeine vary.
The reason adenosine affects glucose is that in addition to the brain, there are adenosine receptors throughout the body, including in adipose tissue and muscle tissueboth sites where insulin facilitates glucose uptakeas well as in the liver, which controls the production of glucose and release of stored glucose. Scientists still arent precisely sure which adenosine receptors play the most crucial role in modifying glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. But a recent animal study suggests its effect on muscle tissue uptake exerts the most significant influence. Either way, multiple studies demonstrate that restricting the action of adenosine, as caffeine has been shown to do, decreases insulin sensitivity.
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Data Synthesis And Analysis
Data summary of the studies are presented in , . The studies are organised as short-term and long-term effects . The units of glucose and insulin were standardised according to the International System of Units: mmol/L for glucose and pmol/L for insulin. Data are presented as mean±SEM . SEM was used to standardise the study data variability. For studies reporting standard deviation , the SEM was calculated dividing the SD by the square root of the sample size of the corresponding arm of the trial.
Drink Coffee After Breakfast Not Before For Better Metabolic Control
- Date:
- University of Bath
- Summary:
- The new study looked at the combined effects of disrupted sleep and caffeine on our metabolism – with surprising results.
A strong, black coffee to wake you up after a bad night’s sleep could impair control of blood sugar levels, according to a new study.
Research from the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise & Metabolism at the University of Bath looked at the effect of broken sleep and morning coffee across a range of different metabolic markers.
Writing in the British Journal of Nutrition the scientists show that whilst one night of poor sleep has limited impact on our metabolism, drinking coffee as a way to perk you up from a slumber can have a negative effect on blood glucose control.
Given the importance of keeping our blood sugar levels within a safe range to reduce the risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, they say these results could have ‘far-reaching’ health implications especially considering the global popularity of coffee.
For their study, the physiologists at the University of Bath asked 29 healthy men and women to undergo three different overnight experiments in a random order:
In each of these tests, blood samples from participants were taken following the glucose drink which in energy content mirrored what might typically be consumed for breakfast.
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The Bottom Line: Caffeine And Blood Sugar For Diabetes
Whether or not you choose to consume caffeine is up to you and your diabetes care team. If you have diabetes, just be aware of the various sources of caffeine and their respective dosages. In addition, some sources of caffeine are more healthful than others, so instead of grabbing a large bottle of sugary soda or a sugar-laden speciality coffee drink, try opting for an unsweetened tea or black/decaf coffee instead.
And remember, monitoring your own personal glycemic response to caffeine is important if you have type 2 diabetes. Everyone reacts differently to caffeine, and the only way to know how you respond is to see how your blood sugar reacts. In the end, knowing how your body responds to caffeine is the key to maintaining blood sugar balance!
How Can Coffee Both Raise And Lower Blood Glucose
There is no definitive answer to this question yet, but there are a few scientific theories.
Firstly, it may be that because caffeine increases adrenalin levels which in turn can raise blood glucose, the studies on people who are not used to drinking coffee might be seeing that effect.
Over time, the body becomes more tolerant to the effect of caffeine and the in the long term may make use of the antioxidants in coffee which can positively influence blood glucose and insulin, canceling out the adverse effect of the caffeine in your java.
Coffee has also been shown to reduce the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and connected to insulin resistance and diabetes.
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Diabetes And Coffee: How Does It Affect You
There are many conflicting opinions about diabetes and coffee, and how drinking coffee can relate both positively and negatively to diabetes.
Various studies demonstrate coffee may prevent individuals from developing diabetes, while other studies seem to prove coffee can negatively impact blood glucose levels in those who already have diabetes.
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How To Make Black Coffee
While there is no one correct way of making black coffee and different people make their black coffee in their own ways, there are steps you can take to ensure that your beverage tastes amazing every time.
There are two ways you can make black coffee by grinding it on your own, or by using a machine.
If you want a clear black coffee with a truly delicate taste, then grinding it on your own is the best option. Take about three tablespoons of coffee and grind them till they are as fine as sea salt. Boil about 600 grams of water. Add a filter to your dripper, filling it with the ground coffee. Gently tap the surface and pour it over in a cup. Your black coffee will be ready in no time.
Another option is to simply use a coffee machine, which most people do because of how convenient it is.
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Caution: Birth Control Pills
Estrogen in birth control pills can affect the way a person with diabetes may respond to insulin. The American Diabetes Association advises women with diabetes to use a birth control pill containing norgestimate and a synthetic estrogen. The ADA also says birth control injections and implants are safe for women with diabetes, but suggests they still have some effect on blood sugars. If women elect to use these birth control methods, they should monitor their blood sugar levels, especially for several weeks when these agents are first administered. Women with diabetes should discuss their birth control options with their doctor.
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Coffee And Blood Sugar Levels
According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking up to two 8-ounce cups of coffee per day has no noticeable effect on blood sugar levels in healthy adults. Two regular cups of coffee contain, on average, about 280 milligrams of caffeine, safely under the 400 milligrams deemed safe.
The Mayo Clinic also reports that some studies found evidence that regular coffee consumption reduces a persons risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those studies attribute the effect to chemical compounds in coffee and not caffeine since both caffeinated and drinkers showed the same lowered chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
However, there is a caveat. For individuals with diabetes, drinking coffeeâor, more specifically, consuming caffeineâcan disrupt insulin function and lead to changes in blood sugar levels. While 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is the recommended healthy limit for healthy people, 200 milligrams is recommended.
Everyone is different, and even two cups of average-strength coffee can be problematic for people with diabetes. The safest option for diabetic people is to cut coffee entirely or only drink one small cup per day. Ask your doctor for personalized recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances.
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Drinking Coffee When You Have Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that causes blood sugar levels that are higher than normal and the body cant properly create and use insulin.
- With type 1 diabetes, the body doesnt produce insulin. This is a hormone that helps glucose go from the bloodstream into the cells of the body.
- With type 2 diabetes, which is most common, the body doesnt produce insulin properly.
Diabetes can be controlled through proper diet, exercise, and medication or insulin that is prescribed by a doctor.
Another type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This can start when a womans body is not able to make and use all the insulin that it needs for the pregnancy. This diagnosis doesnt mean that a patient had diabetes prior to pregnancy or a diagnosis will happen after conception. Gestational diabetes can be a temporary condition.
The best way to manage diabetes is through diet, exercise, and creating a plan with your doctor to keep your blood sugar controlled.
Although caffeine may help reduce the risk of diabetes, for those who have diabetes, it could create an issue. Studies show that caffeine can impair glucose tolerance and decrease insulin sensitivity.
How Much Sugar Is Too Much Sugar
For people without diabetes, the World Health Organization recommends eating less than 10% of your total calories of sugar. For a 2,000-calorie diet, that would translate to 50 g of total sugar from all sources per day. Thats especially important to remember when you get your coffee to go. An average Starbucks mocha can have 25 grams of sugar alone!
If you have diabetes, you need to work with your doctor to figure out the best limit for you. Determining this limit as a percentage of your total daily calories rather a set amount of sugar may allow you to adjust your intake more easily by how much you eat or how much you weigh.
Lastly, if you have any specific dietary questions or concerns, dont be shy about talking to your nutritionist or healthcare provider. Theyll be happy you checked in and can give you specific recommendations on what types of foods and drinks are best for your body.
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+ Circadian Clock Melatonin
Something all individuals practicing intermittent fasting should be aware of is that caffeine in coffee can reset our daily or circadian biological rhythms. Intermittent fasting also impacts of our circadian rhythms, usually in a positive way if we eat in tune with our daylight and active hours and fast longer overnight. But drinking coffee, especially later in the day, can delay our circadian melatonin rhythms by 40 minutes or more depending on the dose. Cyclic AMP actually plays a role here too the rising and lowering of cAMP levels helps our cells keep time, so to speak. By preventing the degradation of cAMP, caffeine lengthens the period of cellular circadian rhythms.
In other words, when exposed to caffeine our cells go through a kind of jetlag where their days get longer.
In summary, caffeine intake in the form of coffee can impact our circadian rhythms and lower our production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Its best for this reason to confine your coffee intake to early in the day, especially if improved sleep is one of the benefits youd like to glean from your daily intermittent fasting practice.
Coffee With Added Ingredients
If you dont have diabetes but are concerned about developing it, be careful before increasing your coffee intake. There may be a positive effect from coffee in its pure form. However, the benefits arent the same for coffee drinks with added sweeteners or dairy products.
Creamy, sugary drinks found at cafe chains are often loaded with unhealthy carbs. Theyre also very high in calories.
The impact of the sugar and fat in a lot of coffee and espresso drinks can outweigh the good from any protective effects of the coffee.
The same can be said about sugar-sweetened and even artificially sweetened coffee and other beverages. Once sweetener is added, it increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consuming too many added sugars is directly linked to diabetes and obesity.
Having coffee drinks that are high in saturated fat or sugar on a regular basis can add to insulin resistance. It can eventually contribute to type 2 diabetes.
Most big coffee chains offer drink options with fewer carbs and fat. Skinny coffee drinks allow you the morning wake-up or afternoon pick-me-up without the sugar rush.
Even for healthy individuals, the caffeine in coffee can have some side effects.
Caffeines common side effects include:
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Upswing: Steroids And Water Pills
Steroids, commonly used to treat rashes, arthritis, asthma, and other medical conditions, can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Corticosteroids such as prednisone may trigger the development of diabetes in people with a tendency toward diabetes. Diuretics may raise blood sugar levels, while antidepressants may either raise or lower them. If you need to take these medications and have diabetes, carefully monitor your blood glucose levels to see how these medications affect you.
Coffee And Prevention Of Diabetes
Coffee and its effect on risks of developing type 2 diabetes have been studied a number of times and has indicated a notably lower risk of type 2 diabetes being associated with coffee drinkers.
A study of healthcare professionals in the US and UK, published in 2014, showed that those that increased their consumption of coffee experienced an 11% decrease in risk of type 2 diabetes over the next 4 years.
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Caffeine Tied To Blood Sugar Problems
But Don’t Be Too Quick to Blame Coffee, Say Researchers
Mar. 9, 2005 — Caffeine can interfere with blood sugar.
But don’t shelve your coffee mug just yet. Coffee might not be the culprit. In fact, it may offer some protection against diabetesit may offer some protection against diabetes, say researchers.
Sound confusing? The final verdict isn’t in yet. Keep things simple by watching your caffeine intake from all sources. Besides coffee, caffeine is also found in some soft drinks, teas, and chocolate .