Risk Factors

Caffeine and Insulin Resistance

Coffee is supposed to be the world's favorite beverage. But controversy surrounds caffeine, which constitutes 1-2% of roasted coffee beans and is considered a serious threat to health. However, caffeine is present in many over-the-counter preparations for the treatment of cold and allergies, headaches, diuretics and stimulants.

One cup of the beverage is assumed to contain 100 mg of caffeine, while soft drinks are known to contain about 10-50 mg of caffeine per 12-oz serving. Since these are consumed with zeal all over the world, there has been great interest, in defining the mechanism of action of caffeine and determining the health consequences of its consumption. Further, in conditions such as diabetes, in which food and drinks have a significant role to play, the intake of caffeine is given a lot of thinking.

Once taken in, caffeine is distributed widely throughout the body. In diabetics, the effect of caffeine is a much thought about subject as there have been concerns about the cardiovascular effects of caffeine consumption, its potential for dependence, and its association with osteoporosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes and developmental problems, among others.

Caffeine - the anti-hero

To begin with, studies have proved that caffeine acts as an antagonist of adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a component of nucleic acids and is present in all living cells in a combined form.

There are also indications that intravenous caffeine reduces insulin sensitivity in humans by about 15%. This reduction in insulin sensitivity could be of potential importance, given the widespread use of caffeine.

Think before giving up coffee

However, before giving up coffee, diabetics need to know why it is often difficult to assign a negative effect to caffeine consumption. To begin with, adenosine receptors are widespread, and their activation produces a spectrum of effects, sometimes contradictory. This is because adenosine receptors are present in fat, skeletal muscle, and liver cells and modulate metabolism in many ways.

Adenosine is considered a retaliatory hormone, that is awakened during conditions like ischemia or stress, and are of lesser importance during resting conditions. Hence the effect caffeine might have on it may be quantitatively or even qualitatively different during exercise or during low levels of blood sugar.

Although caffeine does not appear to affect blood sugar when consumed in moderate amounts, drinking large amounts of coffee over a short period of time has been shown to raise blood sugar. Caffeine does this by enhancing the effect of two hormones (adrenaline and glucagon). These two hormones release stored sugar from the liver resulting in high blood sugar. Besides, caffeine is a diuretic, which means it increases urine output beyond fluid intake. Keeping well hydrated is important for good health.

Excessive consumption of caffeine

What is also important to think about is that the side effects of consuming excessive caffeine can feel like hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The side effects of excessive caffeine consumption include headaches, poor concentration, irritability and nervousness. Many people feel these symptoms when their blood sugar is high or low.

Limiting the amount of caffeine can make it easier to for a diabetic person to read his/her body's symptoms of high and low blood sugar.

Healthy alternatives

Coffee has been called 'comfort in a cup' and many diabetics find it difficult to reduce their intake of it. However, warm non-caffeinated drinks can also be comforting.

Diabetics may try hot water and lemon or broth containing extra vegetables, when they feel the urge to have a coffee.

Many children are extremely fond of soft drinks, which also contain caffeine. They may be offered alternatives such as flavored milk, smoothie or fruit juice spritzer.

Diabetic adults as well as children can have substances with caffeine once in a while, keeping in mind that moderation is the bottom line.