Diabetics Should Avoid Caffeine

A study published in the journal Diabetes Care reports that diabetics may want to avoid caffeine. According to researchers at Duke University Medical Center, caffeine caused the blood sugar glucose levels of type 2 diabetics to rise throughout the day.

While previous studies show that people who drank coffee had a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, the study by Duke researchers was conducted using a tiny glucose monitor embedded under the abdominal skin to continuously monitor glucose levels. On the days participants consumed an amount of caffeine equivalent to four cups of coffee, their average sugar level rose 8% compared to days they were given a placebo.

Caffeine triggers the release of hormone adrenaline, which can elevate blood sugar levels, says researchers. Additionally, caffeine may also interfere as glucose from blood is transferred into muscles and other cells to be burned as fuel.