As a coffee lover, you might be delighted to learn that your daily brew could be doing more than just waking you up in the morning – it might also be protecting you against diabetes. Multiple studies have found that individuals who enjoy 3-4 cups of coffee per day have about a 25% lower risk compared to those who don’t partake in this beloved beverage.

And here’s the kicker – with each extra cup you enjoy, the risk drops by 6%.

But what’s the secret behind coffee’s protective powers? It’s all about those compounds hiding within your cup, like chlorogenic acid, polyphenols, and magnesium. They’re thought to work by dialling down inflammation, improving insulin sensitivity, and keeping those pancreatic beta cells in shape.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – caffeine.

Caffeine might influence how your body responds to insulin and could cause a slight increase in blood sugar. It’s because caffeine can stimulate stress hormones like epinephrine cortisol and block adenosine, which helps regulate insulin.

So, what’s the takeaway from all this coffee talk?

It’s simple, really. Embrace your love for coffee, but do so in moderation. Remember, not all people metabolize caffeine at the same speed. How fast you metabolize caffeine will impact how you’re affected by the caffeine. In fact, caffeine metabolism can be up to 40 times faster in some people than in others.

About half of us are “slow” metabolizers of caffeine. We can get jitters, heart palpitations, and feel “wired” for up to 9 hours after having a coffee. The other half is “fast” metabolizers of caffeine. They get energy and increased alertness and are back to normal a few hours later.

This is part of the reason those headlines contradict each other so much – because we’re all different!

And if you’re managing diabetes, opt for black or decaf coffee, being mindful of added sugars or syrups, to keep those blood sugar levels in check.

NOTE: Coffee does not equal caffeine. Coffee contains between 50-400 mg of caffeine/cup, averaging around 100 mg/cup.

Desi~liciously Yours, Shahzadi