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Diabetes is a very common disease affecting children and adults around the world, yet there are still many mysteries and debates about diabetic treatments.  For example, the jury is still out on the correlation between caffeine and diabetes.

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.

Most modern research shows that avoiding caffeine is still advisable for those wanting to reduce the risk of diabetes.  Researchers from a well-known university medical center found that drinking caffeine with meals caused an increase in glucose levels and insulin among people suffering Type 2 diabetes.  Insulin is a component required for cells to convert glucose into energy.  When a person with diabetes drinks caffeine with a meal, the caffeine can hinder the ability to metabolize the meals that are eaten.  Fasting subjects who took part in this research saw no significant change in their 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.

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.  Young adults 15-21 years of age are supporting the trend 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 high-powered teas.

If you have diabetes, or are concerned with preventing the disease, you need to know that there is a definite link between caffeine and diabetes.  Talk to your doctor, and take steps to reduce your caffeine intake.  Better yet, eliminate caffeine from your diet altogether.