Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar, or glucose. In individuals with diabetes, the level of blood glucose is too high, although the causes may differ in the different types of diabetes. This can lead to serious health issues.¹

Impact of coffee on Diabetes

• 100,000 people studied for around 20 years
• People who increased coffee intake by over 1 cup per day reduced their risk of developing type II diabetes by 11%
• Those who reduced their coffee intake by 1 cup per day increased their risk of developing diabetes by 17%
• Tea drinking had no difference
• A study found that caffeine before eating resulted in a higher post-meal blood glucose in people with type II diabetes as well as increased insulin resistance
• Coffee can be beneficial in reducing risk of developing type II diabetes, but could pose a threat in those who already have type II diabetes

Harvard researchers monitored over 100,000 people for a 20-year period. They found that individuals who increased their coffee intake by more than 1 cup per day reduced their risk of developing type II diabetes by 11%. Individuals who decreased their coffee consumption by 1 or more cups per day increased their risk of developing type II diabetes by 17%. There was no difference found with those drinking tea.²

One thing that is important to note is that a 2004 study published in Diabetes Care showed that caffeine taken before a meal resulted in a higher post-meal blood glucose level and increased insulin resistance in individuals with type II diabetes. This could be due to caffeine impairing glucose metabolism in those with type II diabetes. Therefore, while coffee can prove beneficial in preventing and protecting against diabetes, due to its impact on insulin resistance and blood glucose levels, it may pose dangers to those already diagnoses with type II diabetes.³

Sources

            ¹ Mayo Clinic - Diabetes 

         ² Healthline - Coffee's Effect on Diabetes

         ³ American Diabetes Association - Caffeine Impairs Glucose Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes