Can coffee affect blood sugar?
The concern about how caffeine effects those with Type 2 diabetes revolves around several small studies. Most recently, Duke University studied 10 people (average age 63) wearing a continuous blood glucose monitor for 72 hours. All were regular coffee drinkers (four cups per day) and all were affected with Type 2 diabetes.
During the study the participants did not drink coffee and instead were given a 250 milligram capsule of caffeine (similar to drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee) at breakfast and another 250 milligram capsule of caffeine at lunch. This was alternated on an every other day basis with a placebo pill that did not contain caffeine for a period of two days.
Are there benefits to coffee?
While the Duke study suggests that caffeinated coffee may be a bad habit for diabetics, other studies have shown a decreased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes in those who drink two or more cups per day. To understand why there are puzzling contradictions in these outcomes, remember that coffee is not caffeine alone.
While the caffeine may potentially impede the movement of blood glucose into blood cells in those with Type 2 diabetes, there are other ingredients in coffee (not the cream and sugar) that may prove beneficial as our bodies attempt to control blood sugar:
If you are looking for every possible way to lower your blood sugar, moving to decaf is an option. If you are like me, that will the last choice. Exercise and diet are my first choices.
http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/diabetes/can-coffee-worsen-diabetes-1