For many people, a day doesn’t start until they’ve had their first cup of coffee.
But if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing it, you might wonder whether coffee is helpful or harmful to your health.
Let’s explore what the research says in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
Diabetes is a condition where the body struggles to control blood sugar levels. Coffee, a favorite drink around the world, has long been studied for its effects on diabetes—and the findings are both promising and complex.
On the positive side, drinking coffee regularly has been linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This may be because coffee contains helpful compounds called antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid and trigonelline.
These substances may improve how your body uses insulin and how it processes sugar, which are both important for managing blood sugar levels.
Coffee’s antioxidants also fight inflammation. Since inflammation can play a role in many chronic illnesses, including diabetes, this could be another reason why coffee seems to offer protection.
But there’s another side to the story—especially for people who already have diabetes.
Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, can sometimes raise blood sugar levels in the short term. Some studies suggest that caffeine can make it harder for insulin to do its job, which might lead to a rise in blood sugar after drinking coffee.
This effect can vary from person to person. Some people may be more sensitive to caffeine and notice more of an impact.
Caffeine can also cause side effects like feeling jittery, having trouble sleeping, or a faster heartbeat. For some people with diabetes, these side effects could make it harder to manage their condition.
A large review of studies has found that coffee may help prevent diabetes. For example, one study in the Journal of Nutrition showed that people who added more than one extra cup of coffee a day over four years had an 11% lower risk of getting type 2 diabetes compared to people who didn’t change how much coffee they drank.
But for people who already have diabetes, the story is more complicated. A study in the journal Diabetologia found that although coffee drinkers had a lower risk of getting diabetes in the long run, the caffeine in coffee could temporarily raise blood sugar levels in people who already have the disease.
So what should you do?
If you don’t have diabetes but are at risk, drinking coffee in moderation might help lower your chances of developing it. But if you already have diabetes, you should pay attention to how coffee affects your body. It may be helpful to test your blood sugar before and after drinking coffee to see if it has a noticeable impact.
As with most things, moderation is key. Enjoying one or two cups of coffee a day is usually fine for most people. But it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or a nutrition expert about what’s best for your personal health situation.
In summary, coffee may help protect against diabetes, but its effects on people who already have the condition can vary. Listening to your body and working with your healthcare team is the best way to make informed decisions about your diet.
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