Coffee & Diabetes

You might not realise it but coffee requires a bit of thought for those with diabetes. You can enjoy being perked up by a good brew just like anyone else. But when you wake up and smell the coffee, are you aware of how it fits in with your overall diabetes management plan?

There is some evidence that correlates a higher coffee consumption with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, for those who already have diabetes, increased amounts of coffee seem to be related to lower insulin response and poorer blood glucose control ^[1].

Coffee has been shown to lower the risks of many conditions, including type 2 diabetes, some cancers, cardiovascular disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

When most of us think of coffee we think of caffeine. But there’s much more in coffee than just caffeine. These other components may be what’s responsible for the protective benefits of coffee. Drinking coffee over an extended period of time may help this effect build up.

Fresh black coffee is one thing but adding lots of sugar and sweeteners can mess with your blood sugar leading to a spike. They’re also higher in calories. Consuming too many sugary items and being overweight are linked with the onset of type 2 diabetes.

At the end of the day, there’s no single quick lifehack to keep diabetes at bay. Coffee may have it’s benefits but it’s no guarantee of protecting you from diabetes. The best thing you can do is to eat a balanced diet, exercise often and maintain a healthy weight. If you do have diabetes, a reliable blood glucose meter can help you monitor and keep your blood glucose under control.

Now for a cuppa!