Dear Friends,
Researchers have examined the effects of caffeine in 10 people with Type II Diabetes who reported to drinking at least 2 cups of coffee per day. Each subject managed their conditions with both diet and exercise as well. On the fist day of the study, caffeine pills were given to the participants in which each pill were roughly the equivalent to 4 cups of coffee. On the second day, the participants received placebo pills.
On the day the participants had taken the caffeine pills, their average blood sugar levels had increased by about 8%. The increases after every meal were shocking. After breakfast, blood sugar went up 9%, after lunch it had rose to about 15%, and during dinner it had rose to 26%!
Researchers are not completely positive about why caffeine affects blood sugar in such a way. They theorize that it may interfere with the process that transports glucose from the blood to the parts of the body where it’s used for fuel. Another potential explanation is that caffeine causes the body to release adrenaline, which can increase blood sugar levels.
Although caffeine does not always mean coffee, the lead researcher had stated “Our study suggests that one way to lower blood sugar is to simply quit drinking coffee…” Then, as an afterthought, he added “or any other caffeinated beverage.” The article went on to say that “there are no current guidelines suggesting diabetics should not drink coffee, but [the study's lead author said] that one day they may come if further studies support their findings.”
The take-home message from these findings should be to switch to decaf for ALL your beverages. After all, as the study’s authors said “It may not be easy, but it doesn’t cost a dime, and there are no side effects.”
To Better Health!
Reed Davis