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Caffeine and Diabetes

By: Phillip Blunzon

Diabetes is a disease that has long plagued patients around the world; yet despite the history and prevalence of the condition, it continues to mystify doctors, researchers and patients. One mystery is the correlation between diabetes and caffeine.

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.

There is a proven correlation between caffeine and insulin production. Insulin is a component produced by the body to convert glucose into energy. Researchers at a university medical center have found that drinking caffeine with meals resulted in increased insulin and glucose levels in those patients with Type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes who drink caffeinated beverages with their meals suffered from hindered metabolisms, while participants who fasted during the study presented no change in glucose or insulin levels.

Keeping blood glucose levels down in the goal of all diabetics. Smart lifestyle choices, like a healthy diet combined with exercise, are important to controlling these glucose levels. As a result of the recent medical research, it may also be necessary to eliminate caffeine from your diet.

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.

Caffeine is a contributor to many diseases but unfortunately our society thrives on it. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, so those who drink several cups of coffee or several soft drinks a day are taking in massive doses of deadly alloxan on a daily basis. Even decaffeinated products will still contain a certain amount of caffeine. Everyone should limit caffeine intake, particularly people with diabetes.

Despite the proven health dangers of caffeine, people around the world continue to devour it. A morning coffee or afternoon tea are popular ways to get a caffeine rush. Unfortunately, younger people are now becoming drawn to beverages with dangerously high levels of caffeine. The soft drink industry is marketing these so called "power drinks" to a younger demographic -- even children. Young adults 15-21 years of age are supporting the drink pushers by buying products that have abnormally high levels of caffeine. Some juices and bottled waters have caffeine added to them and even well known tea manufacturers have begun promoting highly-caffeinated teas.

If you are interested in preventing the onset of diabetes, consider lowering your caffeine intake. If you already suffer with the disease, speak with your doctor about the correlation between caffeine and diabetes. For your good health, take steps to reduce caffeine. For optimal health, eliminate it from your diet altogether.

Article Source: http://www.simplepetcare.com/pet-articles

Columnist Phillip Blunzon contributes articles to a variety of popular online magazines, on health education and health questions topics.
This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.

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