Should Diabetics Avoid Coffee? It's A tricky Question

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health conditions affecting millions both home and abroad. Diabetes is reffered to a condition which impairs the body's ability to produce the hormone insulin properly. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps the body metabolise sugar/glucose in the carbohydrates you eat. When Insulin production or funtion is not adequate, blood sugar levels may not be regulated properly and result in sudden spikes on the blood. Lack of awareness about diabetes and its complications, delayed diagnosis, myths surrounding diabetes gives diabetes management the reputation of being tough. However, with a controlled diet and prescribed exercises, diabetes can be controlled if not reversed entirely. There are multiple discourses surrounding an accurate diabetes diet, what they should eat and what they should avoid; amid these myths, debates and discussions is the genuine concern of diabetics around the world regarding Coffee. 'Is Coffee safe for Diabetics?'. Read on to know the answer.

There are multiple discourses surrounding an accurate diabetes diet

There are days when coffee is hailed as one of the best drinks for diabetics, and then there are days when its deemed as a beverage to be kept at bay. The reports can be confusing but all of them together do hint towards a much nuanced link that coffee could play on the blood sugar levels of Diabetics, in the short and long term.

Studies have said that caffeine in the short term may increase both glucose and insulin levels. A dose of caffeine before eating resulted in a sudden hike in blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes claimed a study published in journal Diabetes care in 2004.

 

However there are a set of studies which claim that coffee helps reduce risk of development of diabetes, but on adding sweeteners the benefits of coffee in regulating blood sugar levels can reverse and it may actually put you on the risk of several adverse effects for those who are already suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora ND says, 'There is absolutely no harm in diabetics enjoying their cup of coffee. 2 cups a day works just about well, infact it helps manage sugar levels too. However be mindful of not adding sugar to your coffee. Coffee is a high metabolic food that contains magnesium and chromium that have been linked with bringing down blood sugar levels. Plus there have been studies about the role of benefits of coffee in managing neurological diseases linked with type 2 diabetes. So go ahead and enjoy your coffee, without sugar of course."

A key to better diabetes management is moderation. Anything in excess can be bad. So keep your coffee intake to 1-2 cups a day and make sure you don't add any sweetener to your cup of Java.