Private MD News

Caffeine tied to increased diabetes risk

Category: Diabetes

Individuals who have received unhealthy HbA1c test results may want to stay away from coffee and other caffeinated beverages. New findings suggest that the chemical may lead to many health complications for diabetics.

A study published in the Journal of Caffeine Research indicates that there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the risk to diabetics posed by caffeine. Duke University researcher James Lane said in his review of medical literature that several recent investigations have explained the problem.

One found that frequent caffeine consumption can cause insulin resistance in healthy adults, which is a common precursor to type 2 diabetes. Additionally, other studies have shown that caffeine consumption with meals can cause blood sugar levels to skyrocket in individuals who already suffer from diabetes.

The journal's editor wrote in an accompanying editorial that these findings underscore a developing public health crisis. Millions of people consume caffeine on a daily basis, which appears to increase their risk of developing metabolic complications. Diabetes is one of the most expensive medical conditions to treat.