Benefits of Caffeine for Diabetes: Drink Coffee

Studies on the effects of caffeine have found that caffeine does greatly affect a person's health. Many know that caffeine is not the healthiest drink choice but many do not know that there are many benefits to drinking caffeine. In an article, Caffeine for Depression: Drink Coffee, caffeine has shown to help with depression. That is not the only health benefit.

There have been studies on the effects of caffeine and diabetes. Studies have shown that the caffeine in coffee helps both lowering the risk of developing diabetes as well as lower blood sugar levels.

A study published in the January 2004, Annals of Internal Medicine found that individuals who drank more coffee (caffeinated) were at less risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. For the study, 84,000 women and 42,000 men were evaluated on their coffee intake, which ranged from 0-6 cups a day. The risk for developing type 2 diabetes was 50% less in men than in women (30%) who drank the most coffee.

Many studies have found that coffee decreases someone's chances of developing diabetes. This study, however, correlated caffeinated coffee along other caffeinated beverages. It was found that the caffeine in coffee had more of an affect as opposed to tea, colas, and decaffeinated coffee. Interestingly enough, decaffeinated coffee had more of an affect on lowering the risk of developing diabetes than caffeinated tea.

Even though this study found that caffeine lowers the risk of diabetes, there have been studies that have found the opposite. Two studies in 2002, (Kiejzers et al., Diabetes Care 2002; Thong et al Diabetes 2002) found that caffeine affects insulin action which can then lead to the development of diabetes. Caffeine will keep insulin from reacting, which forces the pancreas to secrete more insulin without needing too. This then makes the pancreas work harder and eventually fails which then results in destroying insulin-producing cells.

In both studies, participants were giving five to six espresso coffees in pill or injected form. Insulin action fell 15% to 50%. Exercise has been known to help with insulin action but when participants exercised an hour, insulin action was still low from the affects of caffeine (Thong et al., 2002).

There are many factors in studying individuals and their caffeine consumption as it relates to developing diabetes. You must look at whether the individuals are predisposed (if it runs in the family) for diabetes. It is important to look at the individuals diet overall, not just caffeine consumption. A person's medication may also cause diabetes.

It is also important to consider how much caffeine you are drinking and weigh the benefits with the risks. If you are concerned about your risk for diabetes due to your caffeine consumption, try to decrease the amount you drink each day. If you feel that you may have diabetes, it is important to contact your healthcare professional for an evaluation.

Sources: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/140/1/1
http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/articles/diets-foods/caffeine.htm