Diabetes
Caffeine worsens diabetes Sleep & diabetes risk
Too little sleep may increase diabetes risk
Recent research, presented at the 2009 American Heart Association conference, has revealed that those of us who are getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night are at an increased risk of developing diabetes.
In fact, the results of the investigation showed that people who sleep less than 6 hours are 4.5 times more likely to develop abnormal blood sugar readings over a 6 year period compared to people who sleep longer. Abnormal blood sugar levels are those which are higher than normal which increases a person's risk of developing diabetes in the future - this condition is sometimes called 'pre-diabetes'.
This latest study supports recent findings which highlight the importance of sleep. Too little sleep is regularly linked to health problems including cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, depression and high blood pressure. It is recommended that adults get between 7 and 9 hours sleep per night but very few of us achieve this.
Caffeine may worsen diabetes
American researchers have found that daily consumption of caffeine can increase blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes (Lane et al (2008). Caffeine increases ambulatory glucose and postprandial responses in coffee drinkers with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 31, 221-222.).
Previous studies have shown that caffeine increases the body's resistance to insulin, the hormone responsible for managing the response to glucose levels in the blood.
This study involved 10 habitual coffee drinkers with at least a 6 month history of diabetes consuming a moderate dose of caffeine (500mg) equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee or a placebo.
Results showed that caffeine had an adverse effect upon blood sugars increasing average daytime blood sugar levels by 8%. In addition, the caffeine caused exaggerated post-meal glucose responses. These results led the researchers to suggest that cutting caffeine out of the diet may help diabetics control their blood sugar levels.
However, experts say that more research is needed before firm advice can be given.