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• May 10, 2013 10:37 a.m.

  I had eaten a small sandwich at work around 3, and then had a strong cup of tea. At 5:30 I was just outside watering the grass and though I didn't feel ravenous, I felt that "shaky need" to eat. So I went to make a sandwich, but within two minutes my blood sugar crashed and I was shaky and sweating. My last test for diabetes (less than a yr ago) was normal. I believe it was a combination of caffeine and not eating enough that afternoon. I usually eat every few hours, the equivalent of a small sandwhich, whole grains and all that. I usually hit my mark (or more) of 1300 -1400 calories a day, which is what my body officially requires. I'm 39, female, and though I could lose five pounds around the middle, I'm pretty healthy. I have been avoiding caffeine for the last year because of the shakes it gives me, but I really wanted one that day.

  - Jo

• April 16, 2013 2:32 p.m.

  I checked out the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database on green coffee beans and read that several clinical trials showed a very modest weight reduction. The site noted that the published studies are preliminary, short-term, and of poor quality. Green Coffee is a source of caffeine similiar to brewed coffee and can cause the same caffeine side effects.

  - Peggy and Nancy

• April 15, 2013 9:58 a.m.

  A cup of coffee will rise in my bg only 3-4 points so I always test before I have any. It took me several years to figure this out Pat

  - No name given

• April 12, 2013 1:26 p.m.

  Please share any comments you can offer on Green Coffee Bean Extract as a supplement to weight loss for a person with Type II diabetes. Would the use of this product present problems with caffeine overload?

  - Carol

• April 11, 2013 9:01 a.m.

  I am not an everyday coffee drinker. That being said, I like a good cup of coffee every once in awhile. The only problem is when I drink coffee about an hour later my blood sugar plummets and fast. I end up with the shakes and sometimes weak like I'm going to pass out. I was glad to see this article because I thought it was only me that this happens to!

  - Tena

• March 22, 2013 2:15 p.m.

  I asm a Type 2 Diabetic, 50 yrs old. I recently noticed that my sugar levels were significantly lower when I cut out caffeine. I'm a believer.

  - Teresa

• January 23, 2013 9:35 a.m.

  What I normally eat for breakfast, which includes a regular cup of homebrewed coffee, has been resulting in BG level of 140. Today I drank a medium Caribou instead. BG - 190!! Last time I do that! Yn

  - Robin

• January 15, 2013 2:39 p.m.

  i have recently been put on an insulin pump, and to my surprise-you would not beleive all of the items, including DECAFINATED coffee that makes my sugar levels go up. Even foods with 0 carbs actually make my sugar go up. I check my BG and eat something that is carb free, such as a piece of chicken and my sugar rises. Dr. says I am insulin and carb sensitive, so now I always put in 1 or 2 carbs even for foods that are carb free so the insulin will cover them.

  - moe

• January 15, 2013 2:05 p.m.

  Maybe I'm lucky but I can drink almost any amount of coffee and my blood sugar stays normal.

  - harry

• October 27, 2012 1:52 a.m.

  Caffeine blocks cAMP production leading to glucose levels to increase in the blood stream.

  - Leah

• August 28, 2012 3:18 p.m.

  The jury is still out on the benefits of cinnamon for diabetes; some studies say it helps and others say it doesn't.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• August 25, 2012 11:00 a.m.

  I have Hypoglycemia and really crave caffeine...now I think I've found out why! Going to have to cut down on my coffee intake. I habe heard that cinnamon is good to add to foods and beverages to help control glucose levels...any comments? Finally, to the person who asked about Bariatric surgery...it is a surgery usually involving stomach banding,sleeve gastrectomym, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch or gastric bypass surgery, used to promote weight loss in severe cases. Long-term studies show the procedures cause significant long-term loss of weight, recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, and a reduction in mortality of 23% from 40%.

  - Justin

• August 20, 2012 3:00 p.m.

  I'm not entirely sure if this is the case for me, but I am a huge coffee fan and as of late I've realized even if I drink it with food, within an hour I have the "hungry stomach ache" with lightheaded-ness. Would assume it has something to do with the insulin levels?

  - Kaitlyn

• June 20, 2012 6:54 a.m.

  I'd been avoiding caffeine for several months due to high blood pressure as well as type 2 diabetes. BP was well under control so started drinking sugar-free beverages with caffeine. Within 2 weeks AM glucose levels rose from around 100 to 120 w/o any other changes in medications, diet or exercise. Became suspicious, searched, and found this site. Will avoid caffeine again. Dr Pod.

  - Ken

• June 13, 2012 11:36 a.m.

  I do not want to contravene posting rules here, but I see other folks mention brand names, so I just want to offer up a suggestion of something new to try, if you love coffee, try a brand called Boresha Bskinny coffee - not only is it delicious arabica coffee but it helps maintain normal Basal Metabolic Rate, which is important for everyone but particularly for diabetics. They also have a sweetener called Bsweet, the only 100% natural, Low Glycemic, Non-Cephalic, Fruit Sweetener, that I have ever heard of, that is backed by clinical trials in children ages 6 to 18 and adults (including diabetics). I have found, through personal regular consumption for the last year, that my body feels better balanced without ups and downs and energy crashes, and I have consistent greater energy, as the caffeine is in a buffered slow release form, and the coffee itself is infr-red roasted so no acidity or bitterness.

  - Corinne

• May 24, 2012 10:06 a.m.

  After reading the posts, and after doing a face plant into rocks while walking my dog two days ago and turning my nose into hamburger, I decided I needed to find the root cause of my "vertigo". I have the equivalent of 3.5 cups of coffee every morning with coffee mate AND chocolate syrup. Then I feel really different. SO NO MORE COFFEE. Going to watch the carbs too! I'm going to get a meter to check my blood sugar and have a Dr. appointment for next Tuesday. I will keep you posted.

  - Joanne

• May 4, 2012 4:27 p.m.

  After seeing my Endo the other day he said that drinking green tea that has caffeine in it is the cause of my higher blood sugars. I have switched over to decaf tea and have seen a difference already. I drink green tea all day long. Who knew? I sure didn't. I use it w/0 sugar or sweetner. Something to think about.

  - Bea

• April 13, 2012 3:02 p.m.

  Dr oz has stated on his tv show that he cannot understand why people do not have barractic surgury to eliminate diabetes. I have tried to research this and get no where. Does anyone have an answer to this question? Probably insurance issues and age factors. Don't know about the health issues, but would like to know. Will be eliminating coffee intake to a couple cups, usually have 5-6 cups of half and half a day. Diabetes is hard to control, and if you don't excerise the drugs we are given don't do much to keep b/sugars low.

  - roger

• April 13, 2012 1:51 p.m.

  Diabetes and Caffeine---perhaps coffee is not the only thing to look at on this subject. I am a D2 and have been on the low edge of that for years. Since I reduced my coffee intake from 8 ounces/day to 4 ounces/day AND cut out a much liked diet Pepsi, my AM fasting blood glucose level average has dropped from 95 to 82 and my evening PM BG has dropped from 123 to 105. This is after only two weeks and of course I am only one person.

  - Leonard

• April 12, 2012 8:57 a.m.

  I have noticed recently that even black tea (which in Chinese herbal medicine is used to reduce blood sugar) causes my blood sugar levels to rise, even if I have not eaten anything. Not a huge rise...maybe 30 points. I use only Equal in my tea. When I don't drink it, then I don't get that slight rise.

  - Michelle

• March 25, 2012 1:07 p.m.

  The first thing I do each morning is take my blood pressure and thyroid medication then sit down with a freshly brewed cup of gourmet coffee. I drink it black because I really love coffee's 'taste'. BY this time I have become better with cutting and refining my diet and the kinds of carbs I was eating each day [in my on-going war to lose weight]However,I noticed the slightly light-headed feeling I experienced later in the morning just has NOT gone away! [and what's with the hike in my glucose readings!-from 109 to 129?] It was obvious~ the only thing I had was the coffee! I called a friend who takes insulin for her diabetes, but these people aren't always as careful about their carbs as those of us who don't have the injections to rely on. So, she was no help. Finally, I GOOGLED this question...and here I am...reading a blog with most everyone saying they have this strange reaction to coffee. So, that's it folks! Caffeine is definitely NOT our friend in the morning! [BUMMER!]

  - GENEVA

• March 24, 2012 3:10 p.m.

  My husband has type 2 is truvia ok to use with coffee,and cakes,cookies for him. thanks

  - Carolyn

• March 1, 2012 10:38 a.m.

  I started drinking coffee when I turned 26 and instantly fell in love with the rich aroma and wonderful flavor. I drank it black. When I turned 30 I was diagnosed with diabetes and went immediately to insulin injections. At 45, I began noticing my B.S. would spike (300+) after I drank just one cup of coffee. I really took notice to make sure it 'was' the coffee and quit drinking it immediately. I started with regular coffee but also tried decaf. I had the same results with both. Just the other day, thought I would give it a go, you know....just in case. My blood sugar before the coffee was 119 and after was at 362. Nope! I won't be going there any more. And, I still don't understand why... I can drink tea, regular or decaf, although I prefer decaf, no nausea as with the regular. Basically no coffee for 11 years now and boy do I miss it!

  - Debbie

• February 10, 2012 10:53 a.m.

  I had already decided to get off caffeine so I switched to decaf. Today I woke up with a sugar of 152. I had a cup of decaf with half/half and within 15 minutes my sugar was 194 and my head was spinning. It took a walk to bring it back down. So now I have to give up decaf. Why is this issue so hard to sort out? Isn't this what medical research is for?

  - Joedg319

• February 8, 2012 1:30 p.m.

  I love coffee too. I never considered it an enemy to my diabetes though until I read Nancy's Blog. I can't say yes or no if my blood sugar is better or worse after a cup. I can only hope not until there is a way to single out the effect of coffee only. My only guess would be its effect on our nervous system might ave cross-over implications.M

  - Sixwomen