Caffeine Raises Blood Sugar

A study reported in the February issue of Diabetes Care showed that caffeine raises blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It seems that blood sugar was most notably higher after meals, when blood sugar is normally at its highest. Subjects had a 9% increase after breakfast, 15% after lunch, and 26% increase after dinner compared to baselines.

The test subjects took 500 mg of caffeine during the study, which equals 4 small cups of coffee.

Caffeine, the active alkaloid in coffee, stimulates elevated blood glucose via two routes. First it inhibits the transfer of glucose from the blood stream into cells. Second, it raises adrenaline levels in the body. Elevated adrenaline levels stimulate the liver to produce and release sugar into the blood stream.

At ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine, we see a lot of patients attached to their daily cups of coffee. These patients may not be diabetic, but they often have fasting blood glucoses that are high normal. Over time, these “high normal” levels of blood sugar age us faster than usual.

Patients with high normal blood sugars are typically at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration (progressive blindness in the elderly), and mood imbalances.

To have your blood sugar levels tested and discuss whether caffeine or other lifestyle risk factors may play a part in the aging process, please contact us at ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.