Medical experts believe that caffeine poses a higher risk for contracting diabetes, and increases the dangers for those who already have the disease. There are substances in coffee, for example, that can have negative effects on the body's metabolism, presenting health dangers to diabetics and non-diabetics alike. On the other hand, researchers in Japan claim that people who drink caffeine may be reducing their risk of developing diabetes. A study conducted on participants who took caffeine in the form of oolong, black or green teas showed that drinking at lease three cups or more every day could reduce their risk of developing diabetes by 33 percent. Despite these findings, modern medical research suggests that it's still better to avoid caffeine if you want to reduce your risk or developing diabetes or control an existing condition.



There is a proven correlation between caffeine and insulin production. Insulin is a component produced by the body to convert glucose into energy. Researchers at a university medical center have found that drinking caffeine with meals resulted in increased insulin and glucose levels in those patients with Type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes who drink caffeinated beverages with their meals suffered from hindered metabolisms, while participants who fasted during the study presented no change in glucose or insulin levels.

Keeping blood glucose levels down in the goal of all diabetics. Smart lifestyle choices, like a healthy diet combined with exercise, are important to controlling these glucose levels. As a result of the recent medical research, it may also be necessary to eliminate caffeine from your diet.

When a patient suffers from diabetes, his or her body does not have the ability to control sugar levels in the blood. Many patients are also faced with the body's inability to produce sufficient insulin. Others have a hormone that resists insulin. All of these patients must be concerned with the amount of tea and coffee they ingest, as caffeine has been shown to have a direct negative effect on insulin levels.

Alloxan is a chemical that poisons the cells that produce insulin. Laboratory tests have shown that when mice were fed with alloxan, they developed diabetes. The cells that produce insulin were destroyed by the alloxan, resulting in the conditions for diabetes. Caffeine causes the body to produce alloxan naturally. Theoretically, caffeine consumption can lead to the production of alloxan, which in turn can cause diabetes or make the condition worse. Aside from poisoning our insulin-creating cells, alloxan is a free radical generator that causes aging and disease. Alloxan directly damages the pancreas, and may cause pancreatic cancer.

Caffeine is a contributor to many diseases but unfortunately our society thrives on it. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, so those who drink several cups of coffee or several soft drinks a day are taking in massive doses of deadly alloxan on a daily basis. Even decaffeinated products will still contain a certain amount of caffeine. Everyone should limit caffeine intake, particularly people with diabetes.

Caffeine intake used to be a health issue reserved for older patients. Now, younger people are facing the same dangers. The soft drink industry is, sadly, marketing "power drinks" with dangerously high levels of caffeine to consumers in the age 15-21 demographic. Some juices and even bottled waters are infused with caffeine, and even respected tea manufacturers are producing "high-powered" teas that are packed with caffeine.

Anyone interested in reducing the risk of developing diabetes, controlling an existing condition or simply living a healthier lifestyle must take steps to reduce or eliminate caffeine intake.