Caffeine and Diabetes

Diabetes is a very common disease affecting children and adults around the world, yet there are still many mysteries and debates about diabetic treatments. For example, the jury is still out on the correlation between caffeine and diabetes.

In Japan, researchers have claimed that those who take caffeine in the form of coffee or green tea may reduce the risk of diabetes. Medical experts, on the other hand, now claim that caffeine can pose a higher risk for diabetes. A study conducted on participants aged 40 to 65 who drank black, green and oolong teas showed that drinking at least three or more cups of these caffeinated beverages each day could result in a 33 percent reduction in their risk of diabetes. Other substances in coffee, however, can have negative effects on the body's metabolism, creating other health problems. Modern research suggests that it's advisable to avoid caffeine in order to reduce the risk of diabetes.

Research conducted at a respected university medical centre suggested that drinking caffeine with meals would result in an increase in insulin and glucose levels in participants with Type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a naturally-occurring component in the body that converts glucose into energy. A person with diabetes who drinks caffeine with a meal may suffer from a hindered metabolism. Participants who fasted during the study showed no significant changes in their insulin or glucose levels.

Diabetes patients know that it's important to lower blood glucose levels. Healthy levels can easily be maintained by eating the right foods and exercising regularly. Now, these new medical findings suggest that reducing or eliminating caffeine is another way to control diabetes.

When a patient suffers from diabetes, his or her body does not have the ability to control sugar levels in the blood. Many patients are also faced with the body's inability to produce sufficient insulin. Others have a hormone that resists insulin. All of these patients must be concerned with the amount of tea and coffee they ingest, as caffeine has been shown to have a direct negative effect on insulin levels.

Caffeine also creates a chemical called alloxan. This free radical generator is a known cause of diabetes, aging and other diseases. Alloxan not only poisons important insulin-creating cells, but also causes damage to the pancreas and may ultimately lead to pancreatic cancer. When we drink caffeine we are allowing our bodies to create more alloxan, increasing the risk or developing diabetes or making an existing condition worse.

Eliminating caffeine altogether is no easy feat. Caffeine is found in food and beverages around the world. Tea, coffee, chocolate, soft drinks and many supplements contain high levels of caffeine and, as a result, massive doses of deadly alloxan. Choosing decaffeinated beverages is not always the best alternative, as these can also contain certain levels of caffeine. The best way to limit caffeine to control or prevent diabetes is to eliminate it altogether.

Caffeine intake used to be a health issue reserved for older patients. Now, younger people are facing the same dangers. The soft drink industry is, sadly, marketing "power drinks" with dangerously high levels of caffeine to consumers in the age 15-21 demographic. Some juices and even bottled waters are infused with caffeine, and even respected tea manufacturers are producing "high-powered" teas that are packed with caffeine.

Anyone interested in reducing the risk of developing diabetes, controlling an existing condition or simply living a healthier lifestyle must take steps to reduce or eliminate caffeine intake.

Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com

Author Phillip Blunzon contributes articles to a variety of well-known web sites, on senior health and personal health care themes.
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