Caffeine on its own, administered in the form of caffeine pills during scientific studies, has a discernible impact on blood sugar. But little direct research has been done on the effect of caffeine on low-carb dieting. Coffee, which is a common source of caffeine, contains antioxidant molecules that help offset the impact of caffeine on blood sugar. The Atkins Diet, a leading low-carb diet, does not strictly forbid coffee or tea.
Caffeine and Blood Sugar
Caffeine can lead to small rises in blood sugar, according to MayoClinic.com. The effect can be observed after the caffeine equivalent of just 2 to 2 1/2 cups of coffee. This, however, is a result of an inhibiting effect caffeine has on insulin, and the increase in blood sugar is primarily detectable only in diabetics. In other words, caffeine could modestly reduce the rate at which your body metabolizes and use blood sugar.
Caffeine and Ketosis
The effect of caffeine on blood sugar, however, does not have a significant impact on ketosis at normal levels of consumption. Unless you add sugar, coffee doesn't contain any carbohydrates, so it isn't contributing to your total carb intake.The total amount of carbs you consume on the Atkins Diet is insignificant compared to the amount used in studies that produced a detectable increase in blood sugar. Finally, it's not clear whether the modest increase in blood sugar resulting from moderate caffeine consumption has any significant impact on your bodies production of ketone bodies.
Cravings
One of the potential risks of drinking caffeinated beverages while on a low-carb diet is that a rise in blood sugar could leave to food cravings. Any spike in blood sugar is followed by a crash, and it is during those crash periods that you might be most tempted to stray from your low-carb regimen. In extreme cases, you could experience dizziness, shaking, headaches, mood swings or other symptoms of hypoglycemia, notes the American Diabetes Association. These effects are unlikely if caffeine and carbohydrate intake is minimal.
Diabetes
The real concern for the effects of caffeine on blood sugar is for diabetics, not low-carb dieters. As reported in CBS News, individuals who drink four cups of coffee per day have an 8 percent higher blood sugar level after meals on days when they drink coffee than on days when they don't. These clinically significant elevations in blood sugar could offset the benefits of diabetes medication. It is important to note that these results are obtained in individuals consuming more than moderate levels of caffeine and not on a carbohydrate-restricted diet. There are actually beneficial effects of drinking coffee produced by antioxidant compounds in coffee that suggest drinking decaffeinated coffee can actually aid a low-carb diet.
Atkins Induction
The induction phase of the Atkins Diet is an intense period of low-carb dieting, where carbs are the most severely restricted and the goal is to force a fundamental change in the way your body powers itself. If caffeine seriously affected your ability to enter ketosis, it would be vigorously discouraged at this part of the diet. But, according to the Atkins website, dieters are encouraged to enjoy caffeinated coffee and tea in moderation. Moderation for Atkins purposes is 1 to 2 cups per day, unless you experience adverse symptoms.
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