Many people get caught in the sugar, nicotine, caffeine trap, thinking this combination is good for energy. But in fact this combination feeds increasing fatigue, anxiety and weight gain. In my own research we surveyed over 55,000 people and found the two foods that most predict fatigue and stress are caffeinated drinks and sugary foods, both addictive substances. Many people become hooked on caffeine and sugar to keep going, gaining weight and losing health as a result.
But what are the long-term consequences? Do coffee drinkers live longer or die young? A study following the fate of almost 400,000 people found that, overall, coffee drinkers are more likely to die younger.(1) But is that a result of the coffee or associated habits? When the researchers adjusted for smoking, the risk of death actually reversed. Coffee drinkers tended to have a slightly lower risk of death, although the decreased risk didn’t consistently become greater the more coffee was drunk. Slightly less risk was observed for deaths due to heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, and infections, but not for deaths due to cancer.
Coffee, diabetes and weight
However, as far as diabetes is concerned you may be pleased to know that there is now enough evidence to show that coffee actually decreases risk. In fact there have been eighteen studies involving almost half a million people that show overall that coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea do slightly reduce risk of diabetes.(2) There are various theories as to why this might be since having a lot of caffeine itself isn’t good for your health. Both tea and coffee are high in antioxidants, which is a potential benefit.
Two recent studies have shown that coffee doesn’t cause the release of insulinInsulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It is responsible for making the body’s cells absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood…., and may even reduce insulin resistance.(3),(4) Interestingly, this effect is true for both coffee and decaf coffee, suggesting that it is isn’t the caffeine that reduces insulin resistance. In fact, decaf may even help keep insulin producing cells healthy.
Before you hit the coffee though, there’s something you need to know. Rather than reducing insulin resistance, if you combine coffee with a carb snack such as a croissant or a muffin, it has the opposite effect. To explore the consequence of this much loved combination researchers at Canada’s University of Guelph gave volunteers a carbohydrateCarbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body as they can be broken down into glucose (sugar) more readily than either protein or… snack, such as a croissant, muffin or toast, together with either a decaf or coffee. Those having the coffee/carb combo had triple the increase in blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity was almost halved(5). This combination of high blood glucose levels and poor insulin function are a recipe for weight gain and increased diabetes risk because the excess blood glucose is dumped into storage as fatThere are many different types of fats; polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, hydrogenated, saturated and trans fat. The body requires good fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) in order to…. This study shows that coffee with a carbohydrate snack is a dangerous combination. However, the decaf didn’t make a difference to the glycemic load of the snack.
One possible explanation for coffee’s protective effect is that it might help weight loss. There is some evidence for this but it’s not conclusive.(6) However, there is no question that having a coffee does tend to take the edge off hunger. This is because coffee promotes the release of the hormone glucagon, which helps raise glucose by breaking down glycogen. Coffee stimulates adrenal hormones and these, in turn, give you a burst of energy getting you ready to hunt. But, the trick is not to go hunting for sugar.
Coffee – good or bad for cancer?
While some studies have shown...
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