Coffee for diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2: can I drink?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Diabetes mellitus forces people responsible for their health to follow the carbohydrate content of food, because due to a violation of their metabolism as a result of insulin deficiency, an increase in blood glucose levels occurs. This also applies to drinks. Coffee is a well-known triggering mechanism for many working days, giving vigor and mood at other times of the day and on weekends. The question arises, is it possible to drink coffee with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as gestational ones that are detected during pregnancy?
The effect of coffee on blood sugar levels
An analysis of the chemical composition of coffee beans will clarify the situation with its influence on blood sugar. The main element of coffee, providing vigor, stimulating the nervous system, is an alkaloid caffeine.
Other biologically active substances include theophylline and theobromine, the latter and gives a bitter taste to the drink. Trigonelline is responsible for the smell and also affects the taste.
Binding agents, pectins, macronutrients (calcium, potassium, phosphorus), carbohydrates, glycosides are present in it.
Components that can increase blood sugar are carbohydrates, as well as the caloric content of the drink. So, in 100g of natural coffee, its indicators are 29.5g and 331kcal, respectively. Given that when brewing use 1-2 teaspoons, this can not significantly affect the glycemic indicators.
To finally verify this, you need to control the sugar before and after using it with a glucometer.
Coffee with milk for diabetes
It is safest for diabetics to drink natural coffee, diluting it with a small amount of milk, without sugar. This process can be erected in a special pleasant ritual: twist the grains, cook the powder with water in the Turk, adding your favorite spices (cinnamon, cardamom). Heat the milk and whip the foam, combine in one cup.
For those who do not like to drink bitter coffee, you can use sugar substitutes: aspartame, aharin or others. Cream should not be added because of their high fat content.
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Instant coffee
Instant coffee is not recommended for diabetes, it is not very useful to other categories of people. The reason for this lies in the way it is processed. The grains are ground and sprayed in a special chamber, then, after drying, they are treated with steam. All these production manipulations lead to the loss of their useful properties. In addition, unscrupulous manufacturers can add different impurities for more weight, and to add flavor - flavors.
Green coffee
This is the only type of coffee whose utility is not contested by doctors. Green coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, which lowers blood glucose levels. It also breaks down fats well, which is an added bonus, as there are many fat people among diabetics. Another advantage of it is to prevent inflammation. Heat treatment eliminates all these properties.
Decaffeinated coffee for diabetes
The process of removing caffeine from coffee is called decaffeination. There are several ways to obtain it and not all of them are environmentally friendly. Most often, in order to reduce the cost of production, a chemical solvent is used for this, the seeds of grain and “give up” their caffeine to it, although a small part still remains.
It is believed that decaffeinated coffee is not capable of harming diabetes; on the contrary, it enhances glucose metabolism. It has an insignificant diuretic effect, which means calcium will be less leached out, it will not lead to pressure surges.
Benefits
Coffee is of different varieties and methods of preparation, therefore, an unambiguous assessment of it can not be given. Of its beneficial properties, its ability to stimulate the activity of the brain, dilate the blood vessels, prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease, and the formation of gallstones can be distinguished. It is believed that coffee is a preventive measure for the formation of cancer cells, including ovarian cancer in women, as well as the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
The harmful aspects of the drink include an increase in acidity of the stomach, blood pressure, sleep disturbance, the emergence of feelings of anxiety, increased heart rate. The production of adrenaline and cartizol - stress hormones - can lead to miscarriages in pregnant women. That is why it is forbidden to drink a drink with gestational diabetes.
Contraindications
To give up coffee is necessary for hypertensive patients who are pregnant. It is contraindicated in acute exacerbations of gastritis with increased secretion of gastric juice, because contains about 30 types of organic acids, especially on an empty stomach, the elderly (can cause insomnia, tachycardia), patients with glaucoma, and kidney failure.
What to replace coffee with diabetes?
Teas are a good alternative to coffee. Black tea contains polyphenols that can improve glycemic indicators. There are even more of them in green, as well as antioxidants, polysaccharides, which slow down the absorption of glucose. This drink also reduces the oxidative process, lowers cholesterol, blood pressure.
Favorably affects the body of diabetics Carcade tea, special herbs, containing compounds close to insulin. These include blueberries, burdock, peony, clover, elecampane, and pods of beans.
Reviews
Each organism in its own way perceives one or another food product. The same thing happens with coffee. According to one review, the drink does not affect the level of sugar, if you drink it weak, without adding sugar. Another had to abandon it. Everything is individual, you just need to control and establish a pattern.