First thing in the morning, or you probably need a pick-me-up, don t you? So, what s the
first drink you reach for? Coffee, or tea?
Both are two of the most popular drinks on the planet. They can both help get us going
or even help us to unwind if we go with herbal tea or decaffeinated coffee.
However, if you re managing erratic blood sugar levels, which is the best choice for
you? Are there any risk factors you need to consider?
Do either of these drinks offer us any nutritional benefits, or might they actually hurt our
health? We re about to brew up some answers, so stay
tuned for The Big Brawl Coffee and Tea are finally going head-to-head in our latest Diabetes
Smarts Showdown! But first, if you haven t already, subscribe
and ring that bell for notifications. Also, stay tuned to grab 2 free gifts!
Now, let s begin the battle It s
COFFEE VS. TEA: WHICH IS BETTER FOR BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL?
Your alarm bell blasts you awake. You stumble to the kitchen. And you reach for most likely,
either coffee, or tea. Are you making the right choice? Well, let s find out.
Here comes... Contender #1: Coffee
Ah, the smell of coffee. It symbolizes the start of a new, productive day.
Most people in the US drink at least two cups a day. Some people chug down well over 5.
We ll discuss the implications for that amount of consumption in a few minutes.
But, For now, let s take a deep dive into
The Health Benefits of Coffee Yes, coffee does come loaded with surprising
health benefits! Of course, it should be noted that we re talking, specifically, about black
coffee. We ll delve into all those delicious but sugar-spiking coffee additives in few
minutes. But what nutrition can be found from your
basic black coffee? A normal 8 ounce cup of black coffee will
supply about 11% of your daily recommended intake of Vitamin B2, or RIBOFLAVIN. Its antioxidant
properties can help to reduce free radical damage.
Coffee also contains trace amounts of vitamins B1, B3, and B5.
B vitamins are uniquely important for people managing diabetes because they aid your cells
in acquiring energy from carbohydrates, and can help regulate your metabolism.
In fact, research has found that regular consumption of B vitamins, especially Riboflavin, can
decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Coffee will also supply small amounts of other
beneficial minerals, like magnesium, potassium, and manganese.
But let s discuss the real reason why you re probably drinking coffee
Caffeine
Yes, coffee can definitely wake you up. And it wakes up a huge portion of the world every
morning. In fact, caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance on the planet.
And coffee is by far the most popular caffeine drink.
Depending on the specific type of coffee, its caffeine content can range from anywhere
between 30 and 300 mg per cup. However, statistics show that most typical cups of coffee contain
about 100 mg of caffeine. So what s the science behind this substance
s ability to raise your alertness? Caffeine is a stimulant because it blocks
the function of the brain hormone ADENOSINE. This has the effect of temporarily increasing
brain activity, as well as causing the release of the feel-good hormone DOPAMINE.
All told, the health benefits of coffee include...
Improving your physical and mental energy. Boosting your metabolism, which can make it
easier to burn fat. Adding nutritional value to your diet, from
antioxidants, to vitamins, to beneficial minerals. Reducing your chances of developing Alzheimer
s disease and other forms of dementia, including Parkinson s.
Lowering your risk of stroke.
Coffee and Diabetes Studies have shown that regularly drinking
coffee can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by anywhere from 23 percent to 67 percent.
But what if you already have diabetes? This is where it gets a little complicated.
While the jury is still out, there are studies which suggest that drinking coffee may raise
your blood sugar. One study found that drinking two cups of
coffee a day caused glucose levels of diabetic subjects to become raised by 8 percent.
Other studies have shown that caffeine may end up increasing insulin resistance. Research
has revealed that caffeine can raise levels of certain stress hormones, like adrenaline,
which could make it more difficult for muscle cells to process glucose.
And while caffeine s affect of blocking adenosine can wake you up, it may also interfere with
your body s ability to manage blood sugar. Plus, as caffeine can keep you awake, drinking
too much, too late in the day, could lead to poor sleep. Decreased quality sleep has
been shown to decrease insulin sensitivity. With that said, if you just love the taste
of coffee, you can always choose the decaffinated variety.
But, if you re worried about diabetes and obesity, here s one bit of good news - On
its own, whether caffeinated or decaf, coffee has just 5 calories per cup.
The Downsides of Coffee Is there such a thing as too much of a good
thing? When it comes to coffee probably. As mentioned before too much caffeine may create
several health risks, whether or not you re diabetic.
A recent Australian study found that drinking six or more cups of coffee per day can increase
your heart disease risk by over 20%. But research shows that even just drinking
4 cups of coffee per day could bring unwanted side effects, like
Insomnia Headaches
Irritability and Rapid Heart Beat
So, here s an important tip... Avoid consuming over 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. For
reference, coffee has around 95 milligrams in a cup.
That means the sweet spot, when it comes to coffee consumption, may be drinking up to,
and no more than, 4 cups of per day.
But let s also get to that other tricky subject, when it comes to coffee s health risks. Yeah,
we re talking about those substances you most likely add from creamers to sugars.
Many people take their coffees to a less-than-healthy place by adding excessive quantities of high-fat
milk or highly processed artificial creamers. Most brand creamers are total chemical concoctions
containing no actual cream. But they can be packed with added sugars, partially hydrogenated
trans fats, and preservatives. Plus, just 1 tablespoon of most coffee creamers
contain over 20 calories! But even using plain old milk can still add
a large calorie and carb load to your cup. 1 tablespoon of whole milk contains 9 calories
and 0.8 grams of sugar. Of course, whether you re using milk or highly
processed creamers, chances are, you re using far more than just 1 tablespoon.
And if you re worried about diabetes, you ll definitely want to avoid adding table sugar
or artificial sweeteners to your coffee. While artificial sweeteners may not spike your blood
sugar in the same way as table sugar, they can trick your brain into releasing extra
insulin, which can create added levels of insulin resistance over time.
Alright... now, it s time to introduce... Contender #2 - Tea
Tea has quite a few similarities to coffee. It s one of the most popular drinks, and is
consumed all around the world. Even approximately half of the U.S. population drinks tea on
a regular basis. Like coffee, tea has few calories and many
health benefits. But the main difference is that, unlike coffee,
there are incredibly vast varieties of tea. Some of the main types of tea include WHITE
TEAS, BLACK TEAS, GREEN TEAS, and HERBAL TEAS. White, black, and green teas all come from
the CAMELLIA SINENSIS plant. And they all tend to be caffeinated. An 8-ounce cup of
one of these teas can supply 30 to 50 mg of caffeine.
Herbal teas are a mix of, of course, herbs, as well as spices, fruits, and tea leaves.
These teas usually contain zero caffeine.
The Health Benefits of Tea Most any type of tea supplies plenty of cancer-fighting
antioxidant POLYPHENOLS. Tea includes small amounts of a variety of
minerals, including Copper
Magnesium Potassium
and Phosphorus
Drinking tea regularly has been shown to improve blood flow, and, thus, may reduce the risk
of heart disease. Tea contains FLUORIDE, which can strengthen
the enamel of teeth. Plus, tea s high antioxidant content has been shown to fight bacteria and
lower the risk of gum disease.
Let s take a closer look at some of the most popular varieties of tea to discover some
specific health benefits of each. First up, check out .
Green Tea There s a reason why you ve been told to go
for green tea when you re sick. This variety offers a wide range of health benefits, and
is loaded with antioxidants. So green tea can play a role in lowering inflammation,
and can help reduce the risk of cancer. And like coffee, green tea may help prevent
the development of type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that antioxidant CATECHINS
(cat-a-kins) within green tea may work to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the
risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies have also shown that green tea may
lower your risk of heart disease and certain brain disorders.
Green tea does contain a bit caffeine, clocking in at around 35 mg per cup.
Black Black tea is the oxidized version of green
tea. Like green tea, you can expect many health
benefits. Black tea has been shown to reduce the risk
of diabetes, and it may help to lessen inflammation. Black tea contains THEAFLAVINS, polyphenol
antioxidants which may help to improve your heart health.
But, at 47 mg of caffeine per cup, black tea does contain more than green tea.
Hibiscus This is an herbal tea made from the hibiscus
plant. It s also called a SOUR TEA, due to its taste.
Hibiscus tea is renowned for its high antioxidant content. In fact, a recent animal study found
that hibiscus extract may reduce free radical damage by 92%!
And multiple studies have shown that hibiscus tea can help lower blood pressure, reduce
inflammation, and it may even aid in weight loss.
Plus, studies have also revealed that hibiscus tea may work to reduce insulin resistance.
Chamomile Chamomile tea is another herbal tea which
has been used as an herbal remedy for generations. Recent studies have shown it may reduce menstrual
cramp pain, protect against oxidative stress, improve bone density, and lessen inflammation.
Plus, as it doesn t contain caffeine but does promote relaxation, a recent study found that
it may help you fall asleep. And several animal studies have revealed that
chamomile may have the ability to lower blood sugar levels.
Tea and Diabetes No matter the type of tea you choose, it can
supply a vast assortment of anti-diabetes benefits.
Its polyphenol content has been shown to increase insulin activity for those managing insulin
resistance. Additionally, the powerful antioxidants within tea can reduce oxidative stress, which
can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In general, research shows that tea can help.. Lower blood pressure
Reduce the risk of heart disease and Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Therefore, tea, especially the caffeine-free varieties, can be extremely beneficial for
managing a diabetes diagnosis, and it may even help prevent you from becoming diabetic.
The Downsides of Tea Just like coffee, drinking tea can have some
side effects if you over-consume it. Consuming too much caffeinated tea may affect
your sleep, and it may raise your blood sugar. Additionally, many teas are high in TANNINS,
compounds which can bind to beneficial iron. This can have the effect of reducing iron
absorption inside your body. Therefore, drinking too much tea may create the unwanted side
effect of diminished iron levels. If you do have an iron deficiency, doctors
recommend limiting your tea intake to 3 cups per day.
Well, now you know the truth behind coffee and tea. So...
Who Wins? Both coffee and tea offer many health benefits,
and they can each be incorporated into your daily routine.
However, there can only be one winner. You may have already guessed it, but let s
cement this victory... Whether or not you re worried about diabetes,
today s champion is TEA! While coffee may reduce the risk of developing
type 2 diabetes, its high caffeine content could worsen diabetic symptoms if over-consumed.
But, if you choose decaffinated coffee, you can avoid those drawbacks while still reaping
its many health benefits. Caffeinated tea carries the same health risks
as caffeinated coffee. However, with its high antioxidant content and wide variety of nutrients,
those many varieties of tea provide a vast assortment of health benefits.
So... Both tea and coffee can be good for you! But
tea is today s clear winner. And remember, with both drinks, you ll want
to avoid adding sugar or unhealthy chemical creamers. In addition, it s best to drink
both coffee and tea in moderation. Before you go, we d love you to like this
vid. Plus, be sure to click the link in the description below to grab 2 free gifts!
Expand your anti-diabetes diet with our new book, Superfoods For Diabetics.
And hear exclusive insights from leading medical specialists, with Episode 1 of That Diabetes
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We re Diabetes Smarts, and we ll keep bringing you all the latest info on the best ways to
fight back against diabetes!
Thanks for watching, we hope you re having a happy and healthy day!