How does coffee and tea affect blood sugar?

Who doesn’t love some morning coffee?  Or, on cold days, a nice hot cup of tea.  Does drinking coffee or tea affect one’s blood glucose levels?  

Should healthy adults be concerned about coffee or tea and blood glucose levels? 

The Mayo Clinic says that for healthy adults, caffeine will probably have no noticeable effects on their blood sugar or blood glucose levels.  Studies have found that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine is safe for most of us.  A cup of coffee has about 120-180 milligrams of caffeine and most adults drink about 2 cups of coffee a day.  FDA says healthy adults can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine a day which equates to about 4-5 cups of coffee a day, or 10 cans of soda, or 2 “energy shot” drinks.  (See:  Caffeine – good or bad for your health?)   

Can drinking coffee or tea reduce chances of getting type 2 diabetes?

Some studies have found that coffee, tea, and other drinks with caffeine can lead to weight loss and a lower body mass index (BMI).  This in turn can lead to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.  How much coffee?  Each cup beyond 1 cup lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes by 7%.  But it didn’t have to be caffeinated coffee.  This study also found that decaf lowered one’s risk of type 2 diabetes by 6% a cup. 

What if you have diabetes? 

Coffee:

Drinking black coffee does not seem to affect blood sugar levels directly.  But it may affect insulin sensitivity.  There are many compounds in coffee that are good for you including magnesium, chromium, and polyphenols.  These compounds may help improve insulin sensitivity.  People with diabetes can enjoy decaf coffee and still get the benefits of the minerals and antioxidants in coffee. 

WebMD notes that “People with diabetes who are regular coffee drinkers don’t have higher blood sugar levels than those who aren’t.”  But for others, caffeine intake can lead to a spike in blood sugar.  If coffee does spike your blood sugar, then switch to decaf as decaf won’t have the “same effect on your blood sugar or insulin”.

But coffee can affect each person differently.  “If you have diabetes or if you find it hard to control your blood sugar, limiting the amount of caffeine in your diet might be helpful.  Talk to a member of your healthcare team if you have questions or concerns about caffeine.” 

Teas

Teas can have different effects on blood sugar. 

  • Black tea:  Contains polyphenols that may help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar.
  • Green tea:  Also rich in polyphenols, it may have a similar positive impact on blood sugar.
  • Herbal teas:  Varieties like chamomile or peppermint are usually caffeine-free and unlikely to affect blood sugar. 

If you are concerned about blood sugar levels, choosing decaffeinated versions of coffee and tea are better choices.  

How does what you add to your coffee affect blood sugar levels?

Adding creamers or sugar to your coffee can increase blood sugar levels.  If you like “cream” in your coffee, try some low-fat milk. 

Conclusion:  Caffeine affects people differently.  For healthy adults, drinking coffee doesn’t seem to affect blood sugar levels.  But for people with diabetes, “caffeine might affect the way your body uses insulin”.  This in turn can lead to higher or even lower blood sugar levels.  “For some people with diabetes, about 200 milligrams of caffeine can cause this change.  For others, it may have no significant effect on blood sugar”.  Remember, while coffee and tea can be enjoyable, it is essential to be mindful of their impact on blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes.  Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.  


 

Sources:  Mayo Clinic , consume , soda , Caffeine – good or bad for your health? , studies , risk, coffee , coffee , WebMD ,  person , Teas , add , diabetes   Image sources: Caffeine and blood sugar   , Chamomile tea , Coffee  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Are there drinks that will help lower your blood pressure?

Image
According to the University of Southern California , almost half of Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure.   This means an astounding 122 million Americans.   Unfortunately, as you get older it is more likely to have blood pressure increase.   Many people don’t even know they have high blood pressure or hypertension.   The American Heart Association notes at first there are “no obvious symptoms to indicate something is wrong, but HBP can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.”    A relative was asking what they could do diet wise to help lower their blood pressure.   We had already discussed the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).   (See:   Best Diets for Healthy Eating in 2024 .) and physical activity.    Diet wise, they were cutting back on sodium and increasing potassium foods but were wondering if there were anything else like any drinks that could help lower blood pressure?  ...
Read more

How to eat for better sleep

Image
Having trouble sleeping?   Are there foods you can eat that would help you sleep?   My husband sent me an interesting article, 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep . According to CDC , “about 1 in 3 adults in the United States reported not getting enough rest or sleep every day.”   A lot of Americans have problems sleeping, about 50-70 million Americans.   You probably heard that drinking warm milk before bed helps one sleep?   Is this true?   What eating habits really do help you get to sleep and stay asleep? Sleep and hunger Did you know that getting a good night’s sleep affects hunger hormones in your body?   A good night’s sleep can lead to less snacking the next day as it keeps hunger at bay.   A professor of nutrition at Columbia University, Marie-Pierre St-Onge, says, “If you eat better, you sleep better and be more refreshed.   And that helps you make better decision for your diet.”      Some tips to ea...
Read more