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Caffeine & Diabetes

Diabetes is a hormone disorder that can cause problems with the kidneys, legs and feet, eyes, heart, nerves, and blood flow. If left untreated, these problems can lead to kidney failure, gangrene and amputation, blindness, or stroke. Diabetes is on the increase, probably because people are living longer, getting fatter and leading increasingly inactive lifestyle.

Caffeine may interfere with the way the body deals with blood sugars, worsening Type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetes, US scientists suggest.

Researchers found a strong link between caffeine intake at mealtimes and higher blood glucose and insulin levels. They suggest people with diabetes cut down the amount of caffeine they have. But UK experts said diabetics simply needed to check their blood sugar levels to see what triggers increases.

In Type 2 diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin, which the body needs to convert food into energy, or is unable to make proper use of it.

Without enough insulin, the body cannot move blood sugar into the cells. Sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes health problems. Other research into caffeine and coffee has shown varying results.

Some have suggested caffeine reduces the body's sensitivity to insulin. However others have found components in coffee, such as magnesium and chlorogenic acid, could help prevent people developing Type 2 diabetes.