Last Updated on November 23, 2024
The majority of Americans start their day with a good cup of Joe. Some people start their day with SEVERAL cups of Joe. But what kind of impact does coffee have on your diabetes? Most days it seems like science can’t decide what they think about diabetes and coffee. Some studies say it’s bad, while others say it’s good.
A new study out of the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences looked at the impact of coffee and several different groups of people, and the results are important for diabetics to take notice of.
Coffee is the most popular drink in the United States. In fact, over 85% of Americans drink three cups of coffee every day. So, what kind of impact can all this coffee have on diabetics?
The study looked at 200 people or drank three or four cups of coffee every day, of the 200 people studied, 90 of those were diagnosed with diabetes. The research showed positive results for diabetes that love their coffee. For non-diabetics, drinking coffee lowered their blood sugar levels by an average of 5% and their uric acid levels by 10% over a 16-year time span. For diabetics, the impact of coffee was much more significant. The diabetics in the study showed a 15% decrease in their uric acid levels and a 20% decrease in their blood sugar levels.
There have been several studies done that look at the relationship between coffee and diabetes. Coffee has also been proven to lower the chances of being diagnosed with several types of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and much more. With so many benefits, how can you not stop by a Starbucks every morning?
Coffee and Diabetes
There has been a small study that showed that people who went from drinking little caffeine, to drinking several cups of coffee actually had lower insulin sensitivity. But the researchers believed that was because of the drastic change in intake. If you aren’t a coffee drinker already, don’t go from 0 to 60 cups all in one week.
Similar to not OVERDOING you coffee consumption, as a diabetic, there are a few other things you should know about your morning cup of coffee. The first thing is to be careful what you put into your morning cup. Obviously, you should be careful if you add any sugar to your coffee (which you shouldn’t). If you add sugar to your coffee, try and wean yourself off of it. Aside from coffee, go ways on the flavored creamers. There is nothing wrong with adding a little flavor to your coffee, but most creamers are loaded with added sugars and sweeteners.
The other thing to note for diabetics enjoying a cup of Joe is to make sure you eat something to go with your coffee. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. A cup of coffee isn’t a good breakfast. Don’t just grab a cup of coffee as you head out the door without grabbing a bite to eat to go with it. Not eating breakfast and drinking coffee can cause your blood sugar levels to do some crazy things.
Just like with everything else, it’s important to remember moderation when drinking coffee. There is a thing as TOO much coffee. Drinking too many cups can lead to higher anxiety, restlessness, muscle spasms, and more. Most medical experts agree that around 10 cups is too much.
What You Need To Know
What does all of this mean for people living with diabetes? A lot, but it probably isn’t going to change your lifestyle. If you’re already a coffee drinker, you don’t have anything to feel bad about. If you aren’t a coffee drinker, these studies should make you consider brewing a cup in the morning.
