Does Coffee Raise Blood Sugar?

Across the world, coffee is the lifeblood of many adults. But what about coffee and diabetes? If you have diabetes, do you need to worry about whether coffee raises blood sugar? The answer is a little more nuanced than it might appear at first. Let’s take a look at some of the ways people with diabetes can have their daily coffee without throwing their blood sugars completely out of whack.

Does coffee raise blood sugar?

If you do not put sugar in your coffee, for most people, it will have minimal impact on your blood sugar. However, the caffeine in coffee might have adverse effects… but more on that later. Overall, coffee has been shown to potentially lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One Harvard study found that people who increased their coffee consumption by more than one cup per day over four years had an 11% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who didn’t. As with many health choices, different people can be affected differently when ingesting the same types of foods. That said, for most people, coffee and diabetes generally play nicely with each other. 

Does caffeine raise blood sugar?

As we mentioned in the last section, the thing people with diabetes need to be mindful of when it comes to their coffee isn’t usually the coffee itself. It may be the caffeine. For some people with diabetes, studies have found that the caffeine in just one cup of coffee can affect the way their body uses insulin negatively on a short term basis. However, longer term, the same study suggests that caffeine might improve glycemic metabolism and the insulin response. With seemingly contradictory results like that, the best approach is to monitor your blood glucose levels and talk with your PCP or endocrinologist about adjusting your caffeine intake accordingly if you notice spikes or dips.

Tips for drinking coffee with Type 2 Diabetes

So can people with diabetes drink coffee? Absolutely! Just be mindful of the potential impacts of caffeine, and what you put in your coffee. Here are some tips for drinking coffee with minimal impact on blood sugar:st

• Opt for decaf coffee: There are purists out there who will say decaf doesn’t taste the same as regular coffee, but decaf coffee removes most caffeine from the equation and might make it a safer coffee option for people with diabetes. 
• Watch those milk alternatives: Whether or not caffeine affects your blood glucose readings, you can still find a surprising amount of sneaky sugar in coffee additives. Stick to heavy cream or half-and-half for dairy options, or almond and coconut milk for dairy alternatives.
• Skip the sugar: It goes without saying that adding sugar to your coffee is a no-no for people with diabetes, but there are plenty of alternative sweeteners you can enjoy, such as stevia, monk fruit extract, or allulose.

The Takeaway

While there is some evidence showing that the compounds in coffee can help prevent type 2 diabetes, there is also evidence showing that the caffeine present in most coffee can trigger spikes or dips for people with diabetes. When it comes to coffee for people with diabetes, the best course of action is to watch what you put in your coffee, monitor your glucose levels, and watch how much caffeine you take in. 

If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and want to live a healthier lifestyle, Virta Health may be able to help. By making healthy lifestyle changes in a medical setting with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.