Decaffeinate Your Diabetes

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.

Researchers in Japan have claimed that people who drink coffee or green tea can reduce their risk of diabetes. On the other hand, medical experts also claim that caffeine poses a higher risk for diabetes. A study was conducted on people between the ages of 40 and 65 who drank green, black or oolong tea. These researchers found that, based on the study, those who drank at least three or more cups of caffeine each day were able to reduce their risk of diabetes by 33 percent. However, other substances in coffee can have a negative effect on metabolism, causing other health problems.

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.

The goal for diabetics is to keep their blood glucose levels down. Healthy diet and exercise are important ways to control glucose levels, but caffeine elimination is also a very important consideration.

Caffeine has a direct negative effect on insulin levels. As you know, diabetes is the inability to control sugar levels in the blood. In some cases, the body doesn't produce enough insulin. In other cases, the body produces a hormone that resists insulin.

Alloxan is a chemical that poisons the cells that produce insulin. Laboratory tests have shown that when mice were fed with alloxan, they developed diabetes. The cells that produce insulin were destroyed by the alloxan, resulting in the conditions for diabetes. Caffeine causes the body to produce alloxan naturally. Theoretically, caffeine consumption can lead to the production of alloxan, which in turn can cause diabetes or make the condition worse. Aside from poisoning our insulin-creating cells, alloxan is a free radical generator that causes aging and disease. Alloxan directly damages the pancreas, and may cause pancreatic cancer.

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.

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.

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://publisherscloninghouse.com

Author Phillip Blunzon enjoys writing for a variety of popular web sites, on senior health and personal health care themes.
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