Americans have a love affair with caffeinated drinks. First, a collective addiction to coffee was prompted by colonists dumping tons of tea into Boston Harbor in 1773, according to the National Coffee Association. The Boston Tea Party changed America's beverage of preference forever, says the association. Today, Americans enjoy more caffeinated drinks than ever, with plenty of beverages to choose from--whether it's energy drinks or mochas--but how's it all affecting your health, especially blood sugar levels?
Blood Sugar Levels
Scientific research shows that caffeine "drives up blood sugar and insulin resistance," according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (PI). For people who are relatively healthy and exercise regularly, the body can handle these effects of caffeine. In fact, studies show that caffeine enhances exercise for those who are in shape, reports the PI. However, regular consumption of caffeine for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle causes a predisposition for type 2 diabetes, says the news organization.
Type 2 Diabetes
With a greater number of the population aging, an increase in sedentary lifestyles and a rise in obesity and stress levels, more Americans are facing type 2 diabetes diagnoses. According to the American Diabetes Association, older Americans and minorities carry a greater risk for diabetes, but increases in reported type 2 diabetes diagnoses among young adults and children in general are on the rise. If you drink coffee, and you don't exercise or maintain a balanced diet, you could be at greater risk for diabetes, according to the PI.
Importance of Breakfast
With or without coffee, the first meal of the day kick-starts your metabolism, and according to the Diet Channel website (DC), "breakfast sets you on the path to success" for the entire day. When you don't eat after several hours of sleep, it means your body stays in fasting mode, so it's important to eat at that time. Not eating causes low blood sugar throughout the morning, resulting in low energy and confusion or irritability, says DC. For people who are healthy and in shape, a caffeine beverage may provide extra energy and can even boost a morning workout, according to the PI.
However, the caffeine in coffee or other drinks raises blood sugar levels for a couple of hours, but does nothing to help maintain healthy levels during the rest of the day, and for those predisposed to diabetes, it can be harmful, according to the PI report. If you drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks in the morning, include a light breakfast for proper nutrition.
Diet and Caffeine
Throughout the day, your body needs sufficient calories from wholesome food for real energy and nutrition to maintain overall health, says DC. Besides the possible added ingredients, most caffeinated drinks such as coffee provide limited calories and little nutrition. Even though coffee and some other caffeinated beverages may provide some vitamins/minerals and antioxidants, according to the PI, drinking coffee and soft drinks to substitute meals on a regular basis does not provide adequate daily nutrition.
However, according to Newsmax Health, studies completed before 2010 showed that nondiabetic people who drank coffee with lunch were found to have a lower incidence of contracting type 2 diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association acknowledges various data from different scientific studies on the pros and cons of coffee, but warns against the beverage due to "elevated post-meal blood glucose levels" caused by caffeine.
So if you're healthy and in relatively good shape, the main thing to remember is to eat when enjoying caffeinated beverages.
Exercise and Caffeine
During research conducted by diet and exercise scientist Terry Graham, healthy and fit people who drank a caffeinated beverage before their workouts were able to perform better, reports the PI. Yet according to Graham's studies, those who don't exercise and lead sedentary lifestyles are at risk for type 2 diabetes and should stay away from caffeine, as noted earlier.
Whether you drink caffeinated beverages or not, it's important to exercise and lose weight, according to the American Diabetes Association. Keeping active and staying in shape can help prevent diabetes, says the organization.
