Does Black Coffee Spike Insulin?

By - Shaila Amaraj

Black coffee is healthy when you consume it in the right way. If you are one of those workaholics, try coffee as your ultimate savior! Yet, it may pose dangers to people with diabetes to a certain extent.

Hence, the question remains: does black coffee spike insulin?

Black coffee in moderation can reduce the risk of diabetes. To elaborate the answer, you should read everything about coffee, insulin, and diabetes. That includes insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. 

Here is the complete guide to black coffee and insulin. Along with that, some precautions to keep in mind too. We can’t wait to explore with you!

How Does Insulin Work?

Insulin is a hormone made by cells in our pancreas. The main role is to control blood sugar levels. How does that happen? 

It will transport glucose from the blood into the cells of your body. When you consume carbs, your digestive system digests and converts them into glucose. Then, glucose moves into your blood through the small intestines.

The cells in your body undergo glucose metabolism for energy production. Thus, insulin secretion from the pancreas conveys signals to the cells in your body. Finally, it absorbs the sugar in your blood. 

Types of Insulin

People with diabetes don’t produce adequate insulin or respond well to it. The high blood glucose level in their blood can damage organs and vessels. Hence, they need insulin injections to help regulate their blood sugar.

Many types of insulin treat type 2 as well as type 1 diabetes. It varies according to the duration of their efficacy. The following are available:

Tea vs. Coffee – Which Spikes Insulin?

Does black coffee spike insulin? Or does tea spike insulin? Caffeine content depends on the serving size and preparation technique. Still, coffee has higher caffeine content than tea. Otherwise, tea and coffee have various benefits. As well as different levels of an insulin spike.

The presence of antioxidants like polyphenols in tea promotes insulin secretion. Furthermore, research shows that black tea and green tea can improve insulin sensitivity. 

Thus, it lowers fasting glucose and HbA1c concentration. Meanwhile, we’ll reveal the types of coffee that will least likely spike insulin in the next section.

Have you ever wondered if you could add milk to your coffee or tea when you’re a diabetic? Don’t worry, we heard you! The plant-based almond milk aids in controlling blood sugar levels. Thereupon, you get to enjoy the benefits of the milk. 

Not only that, but it eliminates cravings. When you’re in the prediabetic or diabetic phase, you should not overeat to please your palate. This will worsen your current condition. Hence, almond milk acts like a liquid snack that provides adequate nutrients to the body. 

10 Other Foods that Spike Insulin

For diabetics, keeping track of their dietary routine is vital. Diet can play an essential role in managing spiking insulin levels.  You may have 1001 doubts on what to eat and avoid. Here are a few tips on foods to avoid:

Does Black Coffee Cause Insulin Spike?

Black coffee is dark and bitter. Also, loved by many! You are not alone if you don’t survive a day without having a cup of strong coffee. 

Research shows coffee in moderation provides health benefits when taken daily. Also, everyone’s blood sugar level is different. So let’s look at how coffee spikes your sugar level.

Blood Sugar Level after Taking Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine that can reduce your insulin sensitivity. Cells in your body don’t absorb as much sugar from your blood after drinking coffee. This drives your body to produce insulin, so you have an elevated level after meals.

How does coffee trigger insulin? First of all, caffeine increases levels of stress hormones like adrenaline. It can control your cells from processing as much sugar. It may also keep your body from producing plenty of insulin.

Besides, are you aware that too much caffeine can result in sleeplessness? Familiar, right? Lack of sleep will result in a drop in insulin sensitivity. Yet, these are a few speculating ideas. Experts are still discovering how caffeine acts on insulin and blood sugar levels.

In Case of High Blood Sugar

Hyperglycemia means excessive sugar in the blood. It results in fasting blood glucose greater than 180 mg/dL one to two hours post-meal. Blood sugar is fuel for organs in the body. But, high blood sugar will cause impaired glucose tolerance.

When blood glucose level is too high, signs and symptoms can include:

Seek urgent medical attention if you have:

Does Black Coffee Affect Blood Sugar Test?

Does black coffee have calories? Does black coffee spike insulin? Black coffee without sugar and creamer has calories ranging from 1-2kcal per drink.

Black coffee is safe among diabetic patients. Less than 400 mg of coffee per day can provide good management of blood sugar levels. Also, it contains abundant helpful and wholesome components that add to our diet. 

The presence of antioxidants makes black coffee even better! Furthermore, coffee is rich in chromium and magnesium. As a result, it assists in controlling rising blood glucose levels in the body.

Remember, caffeine blood sugar crash is common among patients with type 2 diabetes. So, always reduce your sugar along with caffeine intake! 

Does decaf coffee raise blood sugar? Safe to say NO, it doesn’t! Decaffeinated coffee can refine our body’s insulin sensitivity. It delivers plenty of benefits on controlling type 2 diabetes.

Caffeine and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetic patients with regular coffee intake don’t have higher blood sugar levels. Is that true? Experts suggest our bodies adapt to caffeine over time. But, several studies reveal that caffeine could still spike insulin, even if it was a cup. 

If you have type 2 diabetes, you’ll eventually develop insulin resistance. Caffeine may make it harder to bring sugar levels down to a healthy point. Likewise, keto diets don’t allow the body to maximize insulin usage. 

This may lead to maximal high blood sugar levels. Later, insulin resistance will increase the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. Plus, it raises your odds of complications like heart disease and retinopathy.

How to Reverse Insulin Resistance? 

1 out of every 3 adults in the United States has prediabetes. Not all contributing factors of insulin resistance are reversible. Still, untreated insulin resistance can cause heart attack, kidney disease, and stroke. 

Thus, prevention is better than cure. Here are a few steps to reverse insulin resistance:

FAQ’s

Question: Is it okay to drink black coffee while fasting?

Answer: Intermittent fasting is a cycle between food and fasting on a regular basis. This method will stimulate your body to depend on other sources of energy. 

Black coffee has almost zero calories. So it will not ruin your fasting. Besides, caffeine can speed up your glucose metabolism in the short term. As a result, it grabs you out of that starvation mode. Still, remember to keep your coffee black without sugar and creamer.

Question: Does black coffee affect insulin?

Answer: Caffeinated coffee can augment insulin secretion but reduce insulin sensitivity. Besides, caffeinated coffee before a heavy meal has 40% more insulin secretion.

Black coffee contains 96 mg of caffeine in one serving. You are far-fetched to face toxic levels of caffeine from black coffee alone. As long as you don’t reach 400mg per day, it will not spike the insulin level.

Question: What are the disadvantages of black coffee?

Answer: Drinking too much coffee can also have some downsides. It can elevate the level of the stress hormone cortisol. That’s how you end up feeling nervous and restless. 

Again, excessive intake can cause acidity in the stomach leading to abdominal discomfort. Sometimes, people complain of diarrhea and nausea due to this condition. 

Take-Home Messages

Black coffee does not provide total defense against blood sugar levels. Caffeine can impair insulin reaction and increase the resistance towards it. Still, does black coffee spike insulin? If you’re at risk of getting diabetes, black coffee without sugar is the best alternative! 
Reduce the amount of sugar and caffeine in your coffee. Always consult a medical practitioner for more information. Stay healthy, try it and witness the miracle!