Coffee is a popular beverage that many people enjoy in the morning and/or throughout the day. Studies have shown that coffee has a beneficial effect on certain illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and certain cancers.
Studies also suggest that increasing coffee consumption may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But for individuals who already have type 2 diabetes, drinking coffee or increasing the intake of the beverage could be harmful.
Learn more about how coffee affects diabetes.
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Does Coffee Prevent Diabetes?
Known as an antioxidant-rich beverage, coffee also has:
The antioxidant properties in coffee include:
Studies have shown that the antioxidant properties in coffee are one of the reasons why it is beneficial to human health.One of the benefits includes reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Drinking Coffee When You Have Diabetes
Diabetesis a condition that causes blood sugar levels that are higher than normal and the body can’t properly create and use insulin.
Withtype 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin. This is a hormone that helps glucose go from the bloodstream into the cells of the body.Withtype 2 diabetes, which is the most common, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use insulin properly.
Another type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This can start when a woman’s body is not able to make and use all the insulin that it needs for the pregnancy. This diagnosis doesn’t mean that a patient had diabetes prior to pregnancy or a diagnosis will happen after conception. Gestational diabetes can be a temporary condition.
The best way to manage diabetes is through diet, exercise, and creating a plan with your healthcare provider to keep your blood sugar controlled.
Although caffeine may help reduce the risk of diabetes, for those who have diabetes, it could create an issue. Studies show that caffeine can impair glucose tolerance and decrease insulin sensitivity.
Effects of Caffeine
The chlorogenic acid and other phenolic compounds found in coffee are known to interfere with glucose transporters and decrease insulin sensitivity. Additionally, caffeine overall is known to impair glucose tolerance and also decrease insulin sensitivity.
In a systematic review, seven studies were examined to evaluate the effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism. The study suggested that more clinical trials should be conducted to confirm the relationship between glycemic control with diabetes patients and caffeine intake.
Effects of Added Ingredients
Although coffee in its pure form is known to have health benefits, many individuals want to reach for the additives to perfect that cup of java. Whether it is cream or non-caloric artificial sweeteners, the added sugar is not the best option for individuals with diabetes.
Adding sugar, syrups, non-caloric artificial sweeteners, and creams can have a negative effect on diabetes patients due to the sugar and carbohydrate content.
One study concluded that non-caloric artificial sweeteners may induce glucose intolerance and alter the gut microbiome in humans.
It is important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider in regard to consuming coffee and adding sugar, sweetener, and other items to your drink. This is an important conversation to have so you can choose the right options. Your healthcare provider can give the best recommendation based on your individual specific needs.
Other Studies
Studies show that drinking green tea and coffee is associated with a lower death risk. Individuals who have type 2 diabetes are known to be at a higher risk for:
Due to the bioactive compounds in coffee and green tea, studies suggest that these beverages may have health benefits. Studies also show that drinking two or more cups of coffee along with four or more cups of green tea was associated with a 63% lower risk of death over a five-year period.
Yet, more research needs to be conducted to explore the impact of coffee and green tea both separately and combined.
Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Drinking CoffeeIf you have diabetes, it is extremely important to talk to your healthcare provider about the consumption and amount of coffee, tea, and other beverages that may affect your condition. Have a list of questions prepared so you know what to include in your diet.
Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Drinking Coffee
If you have diabetes, it is extremely important to talk to your healthcare provider about the consumption and amount of coffee, tea, and other beverages that may affect your condition. Have a list of questions prepared so you know what to include in your diet.
A Word From Verywell
Diabetes can be managed with proper care, education, and choices. If an individual has a family history of diabetes, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to learn about preventative lifestyle choices that you can make to stay healthy.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.The latest scoop on the health benefits of coffee.Reis CEG, Dórea JG, da Costa THM.Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: a systematic review of clinical trials.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(3):184-191. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.01.001Yashin A, Yashin Y, Wang JY, Nemzer B.Antioxidant and antiradical activity of coffee.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013;2(4):230-245. doi:10.3390/antiox2040230American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Gestational diabetes.Al-Mssallem MQ.The regular consumption of coffee and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.J Public Health (Berl.) 28,115–122 (2020). doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01055-7Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2017 Dec;11 Suppl 2:S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017Suez J, Korem T, Zilberman-Schapira G, Segal E, Elinav E.Non-caloric artificial sweeteners and the microbiome: findings and challenges.Gut Microbes, 6:2, 149 155, (2015). doi:10.1080/19490976.2015.1017700Komorita Y, Iwase M, Fujii H, et al.Additive effects of green tea and coffee on all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care2020:8:e001252. doi:10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001252
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.The latest scoop on the health benefits of coffee.Reis CEG, Dórea JG, da Costa THM.Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: a systematic review of clinical trials.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(3):184-191. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.01.001Yashin A, Yashin Y, Wang JY, Nemzer B.Antioxidant and antiradical activity of coffee.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013;2(4):230-245. doi:10.3390/antiox2040230American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Gestational diabetes.Al-Mssallem MQ.The regular consumption of coffee and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.J Public Health (Berl.) 28,115–122 (2020). doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01055-7Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2017 Dec;11 Suppl 2:S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017Suez J, Korem T, Zilberman-Schapira G, Segal E, Elinav E.Non-caloric artificial sweeteners and the microbiome: findings and challenges.Gut Microbes, 6:2, 149 155, (2015). doi:10.1080/19490976.2015.1017700Komorita Y, Iwase M, Fujii H, et al.Additive effects of green tea and coffee on all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care2020:8:e001252. doi:10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001252
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health.The latest scoop on the health benefits of coffee.Reis CEG, Dórea JG, da Costa THM.Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: a systematic review of clinical trials.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(3):184-191. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.01.001Yashin A, Yashin Y, Wang JY, Nemzer B.Antioxidant and antiradical activity of coffee.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013;2(4):230-245. doi:10.3390/antiox2040230American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Gestational diabetes.Al-Mssallem MQ.The regular consumption of coffee and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.J Public Health (Berl.) 28,115–122 (2020). doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01055-7Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2017 Dec;11 Suppl 2:S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017Suez J, Korem T, Zilberman-Schapira G, Segal E, Elinav E.Non-caloric artificial sweeteners and the microbiome: findings and challenges.Gut Microbes, 6:2, 149 155, (2015). doi:10.1080/19490976.2015.1017700Komorita Y, Iwase M, Fujii H, et al.Additive effects of green tea and coffee on all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care2020:8:e001252. doi:10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001252
Harvard Health.The latest scoop on the health benefits of coffee.
Reis CEG, Dórea JG, da Costa THM.Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism: a systematic review of clinical trials.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(3):184-191. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.01.001
Yashin A, Yashin Y, Wang JY, Nemzer B.Antioxidant and antiradical activity of coffee.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013;2(4):230-245. doi:10.3390/antiox2040230
American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Gestational diabetes.
Al-Mssallem MQ.The regular consumption of coffee and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.J Public Health (Berl.) 28,115–122 (2020). doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01055-7
Dewar L, Heuberger R.The effect of acute caffeine intake on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in people with diabetes.Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2017 Dec;11 Suppl 2:S631-S635. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.04.017
Suez J, Korem T, Zilberman-Schapira G, Segal E, Elinav E.Non-caloric artificial sweeteners and the microbiome: findings and challenges.Gut Microbes, 6:2, 149 155, (2015). doi:10.1080/19490976.2015.1017700
Komorita Y, Iwase M, Fujii H, et al.Additive effects of green tea and coffee on all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry.BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care2020:8:e001252. doi:10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001252
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