Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages across the world, with millions of people taking coffee to start their day.

A cup of coffee in the morning is said to help kick start your metabolism and helps you get through the day with high energy levels. However, while coffee might provide a quick energy boost, research has indicated that it’s possible to experience a ‘crash’ in energy levels shortly after its consumption.

This can be linked to the high amounts of caffeine and sugar in the drink, which can have significant effects on sugar adjustment.

The Impact of Caffeine on Blood Sugar

Coffee, like other caffeinated drinks, can cause significant spikes in blood sugar levels. Such effects are often experienced after taking coffee as a result of the caffeine content.

Caffeine stimulates the production of adrenaline, a hormone which signals for increased sugar release from the liver. This can lead to a temporary spike in blood sugar levels which can cause hyperactivity and irritability, as well as feelings of dizziness and nausea.

Coffee Increases Insulin Resistance

Another major effect of coffee on sugar adjustment is the increase in insulin resistance. When you take coffee, the amounts of insulin in the body increase, which can lead to the development of resistance to insulin in the body.

As insulin resistance builds over time, the body produces more glucose to keep up with the sugar demand, leading to a rise in blood sugar levels and increased risk of developing diabetes.

Caffeine and Adrenal Fatigue

Caffeine in coffee stimulates the release of adrenaline, which is the signaller of a fight or flight response in the body. However, over time, high levels of adrenaline can lead to adrenal fatigue, as the adrenal glands become overworked.

This can lead to a decrease in cortisol levels, which can impede the body’s ability to deal with blood sugar levels, cause memory loss and decreased cognitive performance.

Coffee and Overeating

While coffee can help in reducing appetite, drinking coffee in excess amounts can lead to overeating. The caffeine content in coffee can suppress the appetite and cause weight loss in the short term, but this effect is often temporary.

Over time, overconsumption of caffeine can lead to an increased appetite, which can lead to weight gain as well as other health complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Coffee and Stress

Coffee is known to create a feeling of alertness and wakefulness, however, drinking too much coffee can lead to an increase in stress levels.

When we take coffee, it leads to the production of cortisol, which is a hormone that regulates stress in the body. Overconsumption of coffee can lead to a decrease in cortisol levels, leading to increased stress and anxiety levels.

Coffee and Sleep

Caffeine is known to impede the body’s natural ability to sleep. Drinking coffee just before bedtime or in the evening can lead to difficulty sleeping, as caffeine can keep you awake for long hours.

Lack of sleep leads to the disruption of the body’s natural mechanisms for regulating blood sugar levels, which can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels during the day.

Coffee and Dehydration

Caffeine is a natural diuretic, meaning that it stimulates the need to urinate and leads to dehydration.

When you drink coffee with high amounts of caffeine, you may experience dehydration which can have serious consequences on your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Dehydration can lead to headaches, irritability and an increase in blood sugar levels.

Coffee and Nutrition

Coffee, like many other beverages, contains high amounts of sugar and few nutrients.

Drinking coffee in excess can lead to a significant reduction in – or lack of – the intake of essential nutrients, which can have significant negative effects on the body’s sugar adjustment mechanism.

The Bottom Line

While coffee can give you an energy boost in the morning, it has its significant downsides for sugar adjustment and general health. Overconsumption of caffeine can lead to overeating, insulin resistance, and high stress levels.

Therefore, moderation is the key when it comes to coffee consumption. If you’re concerned about your sugar adjustment, it’s best to consume coffee in moderation and also incorporate other healthy beverages into your diet.