Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Chris Bennell on 23/01/2009 09:54:52
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Chris Bennell asked the Naked Scientists:
Hi Chris and team,
I really enjoy your podcast (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) every week and have a question. I recently read that drinking a coffee at breakfast can cause your blood sugar levels to rise. As I have type-II diabetes, this is really worrying. Do you know if this is true or not and if it is then how can drinking something with no sugar in it increase the amount of sugar in my blood.
Many thanks,
Chris Bennell
What do you think?
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Lane said they didn't know how caffeine drove up the glucose levels but they had a couple of ideas:
It could be that caffeine interferes with the process that moves glucose from the blood and into muscle and other cells in the body where it is used for fuel. It may also be that caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline -- the fight or flight -- hormone that we know can also boost sugar levels
Caffeine Increases Blood Sugar In People With Type 2 Diabetes (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/95380.php)
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However, James Lane, Ph.D., the medical psychologist who led the Duke study, stated of people with Type 2 diabetes that "They may find that it's easier for them to keep their glucose down if they avoid caffeine." Writing on the subject in the January/February 2008 issue of Diabetes Self-Management magazine, though, Lynn Grieger, R.D., C.D.E, C.P.T., suggests that "Until more studies are conducted, it is probably best to limit coffee intake to moderate levels."
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/Tara_Dairman/Caffeine_May_Affect_Blood_Glucose_Levels
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Blood sugar levels are supposed to rise after you eat. To keep your blood sugar levels from rising too high, your pancreas releases insulin. The researchers found that taking caffeine causes blood sugar and insulin levels to rise even higher after meals. If your blood sugar rises too high, sugar sticks to cells. Once sugar is stuck on a cell membrane, it cannot be released and is converted to a poison called sorbitol which destroys that cell. High levels of insulin constrict arteries to cause heart attacks and act directly on the brain to make you hungry, on your liver to make more fat, and on the fat cells in your belly to pick up that fat. If these studies are confirmed, diabetics will be advised to restrict coffee as well as those foods that cause the highest rise in blood sugar after meals.
When caffeine was removed from the coffee, blood sugar levels did not rise higher than normal. On the basis of this study, diabetics should drink decaffeinated coffee, rather than one with caffeine
http://www.drmirkin.com/diabetes/9897.html
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Did anyone ask if those in the study added sugar to their coffee? I had chronically raised blood sugar a couple of years ago, i was in fact pre-diabetic. I changed my eating habits, but I increased the amount of coffee I drank every day - sometimes up to 6 double espressos. My blood sugar decreased due to the lifestyle changes, in spite of the amount of caffeine I was consuming. Go figure!? The sorbitol (mentioned the last post) - is this the same sorbitol that is used in chewing gum and artificial sweeteners?
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I'm not too sure, have you had a look at those links? [:)]
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Yes - very interesting! I suppose common sense should prevail when there are conflicting findings. If it doesn't work for you don't do it!
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Caffeine raises levels of certain stress hormones, like epinephrine (also called adrenaline). Epinephrine can prevent your cells from processing as much sugar. It may also keep your body from making as much insulin.
It blocks a protein called adenosine. This molecule plays a big role in how much insulin your body makes. It also controls how your cells respond to it. Caffeine keeps adenosine from doing its job. It can’t clear sugar from your blood as quickly.
It takes a toll on your sleep. Too much caffeine can keep you awake. Lack of sleep may also lower your insulin sensitivity.
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I'm pretty sure that sorbitol has little or nothing to do with the process.
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there was a very thorough thread on this if you google it. Basically yes, people are saying the car feels more eager, but actual track data didnt reveal much. For road use, I enjoy my 18s much more than I did the 17s, though I suspect tires had a lot to do with it. With 18s, the car looks more exotic and aesthetically pleasing, to me at least
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there was a very thorough thread on this if you google it. Basically yes, people are saying the car feels more eager, but actual track data didnt reveal much. For road use, I enjoy my 18s much more than I did the 17s, though I suspect tires had a lot to do with it. With 18s, the car looks more exotic and aesthetically pleasing, to me at least
Please do not interrupt threads with off topic posts.
If you do it again your posting rights will be suspended.