New Research on Caffeine, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance

Love to Eat| A review article in the Journal of Caffeine Research suggests that caffeine disrupts glucose metabolism and may be a contributor to the development and poor control of type 2 diabetes. Specifically, the metabolism of carbohydrates results in increased blood glucose levels if caffeine is consumed at the same time.

James Lane, PhD, Duke University, describes numerous studies that have demonstrated caffeine’s potential for increasing insulin resistance (impaired glucose tolerance) in adults that do not have diabetes, an effect that could make susceptible individuals more likely to develop the disease.

In a study by Fumihiko Horio and colleagues reported last year, research on animals reported diametrically opposing results. In mice ‘scientists fed either water or coffee to a group of laboratory mice commonly used to study diabetes. Coffee consumption prevented the development of high-blood sugar and also improved insulin sensitivity in the mice, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes. Coffee also caused a cascade of other beneficial changes in the fatty liver and inflammatory adipocytokines related to a reduced diabetes risk. Additional lab studies showed that caffeine may be “one of the most effective anti-diabetic compounds in coffee,” the scientists say.’ via Science Daily