Moderate, unsweetened coffee can benefit diabetes management with its potential anti-inflammatory properties, while the article also discusses caffeine and sugary coffee in diabetes care.

Epidemiological studies have linked the daily consumption of two to four cups of coffee with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, according to research published in Food and Chemical Toxicology.

But how does coffee affect people who are already diagnosed and living with diabetes? Although coffee is filled with beneficial plant compounds, it can also be high in caffeine, sugar, and cream, depending on how it is prepared. Patients can easily feel confused by mixed messages about their beloved morning brew.

Coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties

Overall, a huge percentage of the population drinks coffee. However, not every cup is created equally. In fact, the compounds in coffee can vary quite a bit based on how it’s brewed.

The primary bioactive compounds in coffee include:

• Chlorogenic acid: This is an antioxidant and the most abundant phenolic compound in coffee.
• Diterpene alcohols: These are strong coffee antioxidants, which include cafestol and kahweol.
• Trigonelline: After caffeine, this is the second-highest alkaloid in coffee.

These coffee compounds have established anti-obesity effects, according to the Food and Chemical Toxicology authors, as does caffeine. In addition, studies demonstrate coffee’s ability to lower inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and leptin, as reported in a 2023 international study in Clinical Nutrition.

Coffee intake has also been linked to higher adiponectin levels. Adiponectin is not only anti-inflammatory, but it also boosts insulin sensitivity. Low levels of adiponectin are associated with higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

Less-processed coffee drinks produce the strongest effects, the Clinical Nutrition researchers found, with more significant benefits observed in ground coffee and espresso vs. decaf or instant coffee. As a result, the net positive of coffee intake on a progressive and inflammatory disease like diabetes is hard to deny.

Coffee’s impact on diabetes complications

Korean investigators reported that drinking two cups of coffee per day is significantly associated with a lower rate of DR vs. drinking no coffee.

After analysing data from 1,350 participants, the study investigators noted that “Regardless of the type of coffee, the prevalence of DR tended to decrease with increases in coffee intake of both black coffee and coffee with sugar or cream, adjusted for confounders such as energy intake.”

Nonetheless, clinicians should keep in mind that caffeine may affect people differently. Up to 400 mg of caffeine is considered safe for most adults (the amount in three to four cups of coffee).

However, for some people with diabetes, caffeine leads to unexpected blood sugar fluctuations that interfere with glycemic control and the action of diabetes medications. In addition, sweetened coffee drinks can be a significant source of carbohydrates and should be accounted for as part of the total diabetes diet.

For people with diabetes, as for many others, drinking coffee is often more than just a dietary choice. It’s a morning ritual that can be tough to change. Fortunately, coffee is generally something you don’t need to encourage your patients with diabetes to give up. Instead, prioritising healthy weight loss, physical activity, and medication compliance is likely more worth your while.

Disclaimer: This story is contributed by Anastasia Climan and is a part of our Global Content Initiative, where we feature selected stories from our Global network which we believe would be most useful and informative to our doctor members.