Is Drinking Coffee Good or Bad If I Have Diabetes?

People in the U.S. are drinking more coffee than ever. In fact, more than 60% of adults drink it regularly. As popular as coffee is, there’s still debate over whether or not its benefits outweigh its risks. One common question is whether coffee is good or bad for someone who has diabetes.

How does coffee affect blood sugar?

In people without diabetes, black coffee doesn’t seem to affect blood sugar levels. And recent research suggests that people who drink at least 1 cup of coffee daily have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This lower risk is seen with both regular and decaffeinated coffee. 

It’s not exactly clear why coffee affects blood sugar (glucose). But the thought is that coffee somehow improves glucose uptake and metabolism. This means it helps the body process glucose more efficiently.

But it may be a different story for people with diabetes. Some studies have shown an increase in blood sugar in people with diabetes after drinking coffee.

This is likely due to the effect of caffeine. Research suggests that, in the short term, caffeine reduces insulin sensitivity. This means your body might not respond as well to insulin, the hormone that tells your cells to take glucose out of the blood and process it. 

It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone with diabetes responds in the same way to coffee. So it’s best to watch your blood sugar and see how it responds to coffee.

Does this mean drinking coffee is bad for diabetes?

Not necessarily. According to research, that short-term effect on insulin sensitivity is just that: short. Studies suggest that daily caffeine consumption over months doesn’t affect insulin sensitivity. So it seems your body gets used to the effects of caffeine over time.

Does coffee have any benefits for people with diabetes?

Yes. There appear to be a few potential long-term effects of drinking coffee for people with diabetes. Here are some of those benefits:

• Lower risk of heart and kidney disease: Research suggests people with diabetes who drink 2 to 4 cups of coffee per day may have a lower risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease.

• Lower inflammation: Coffee contains antioxidants like polyphenols. These can have positive effects on your health by lowering inflammation in the body.

• Less appetite, higher metabolism: Caffeine is a natural stimulant and is often what drives people to start drinking coffee. Caffeine has been shown to decrease appetite and increase metabolism, which can be helpful for some people with diabetes. 

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• Coffee and health: Coffee has health benefits you may not be aware of. Learn about coffee’s benefits, from better heart health to lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.

• Coffee add-ins: The best way to drink coffee is plain, without added sugar and cream. But you can use some healthy add-ins to make the most of your morning cup. 

• Sweetened coffee: If you like to add sweetener to your coffee, know that some sweeteners are more likely than others to raise your blood sugar.

Can coffee or other caffeinated beverages be harmful for people with diabetes?

There are risks associated with consuming too much caffeine — like sleep disruptions and withdrawal headaches. But these aren’t specific to people with diabetes.

How much caffeine is too much?

For an average, healthy adult, roughly 4 to 5 cups of coffee (400 mg of caffeine) is the max recommended amount per day. But everyone responds to caffeine a little differently. So some people may be more sensitive to its effects than others.

That said, if you have diabetes, and you notice that caffeinated drinks affect your blood sugar, it may be a good idea to drink less.

Is coffee safe if I have diabetes?

In short, yes: It’s safe to drink coffee if you have diabetes. Drinking coffee shouldn’t be dangerous, as long as you do the following:

• Keep an eye on your blood sugar. 

• Stick to coffee without added sugar.

But make sure you limit your caffeine consumption to a reasonable amount. 

Is adding sugar to coffee OK if you have diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you’ll need to work with your healthcare team to figure out how much sugar you can have every day — including in your coffee. The recommended daily sugar intake for someone with diabetes is different from person to person.

Consuming small amounts of sugar may be OK. But, if you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association suggests avoiding high-sugar drinks. That means, if you do drink coffee, it’s best to go easy on the sugar — or skip it altogether. And if you like to go out for coffee, keep in mind that many of those beverages come with a lot of sugar already added. 

What is the best coffee drink for someone with diabetes?

While coffee may have some health benefits, creamy, sugary coffee drinks do more harm than good. If you have diabetes, a good rule of thumb is to start with black (unsweetened) coffee. Then, if needed, you can add a small amount of the following:

• Sweetener: For most people with diabetes, it’s best to stick with a small amount of regular sugar or a natural alternative with a low glycemic index. It’s a good idea to limit the amount of artificial sweetener that you use. 

• Milk: A good choice is low-fat or skim milk, or you can opt for low-carb, plant-based milk.

And, if you’re at a coffee shop, here are some tips:

• Order an unsweetened drink and add sugar yourself, so you can control the amount.

• Ask for “skinny” options. 

• Avoid sugary syrups.

Remember: With diabetes, it’s not only what you eat that matters. What you drink is important too. Specialty coffee drinks can be full of hidden sweeteners, syrups, and dairy products. And the carbohydrates can add up quickly. 

What are the best Starbucks coffee drinks for people with diabetes? 

Starbucks’ online menu provides nutrition information for all of the coffeehouse company’s drinks. By knowing how many carbs a drink has, you can place an order to fit your needs. 

Take a look at how these tall-size drinks compare in the table below.

As you can see, choosing simpler drinks will help you avoid carbohydrates. And small changes to your coffee routine can make a big impact on your health.

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Written by:

Jewels Doskicz, RN, BA

Jewels Doskicz, RN, is an Arizona-based registered nurse with more than 20 years of hospital-wide clinical nursing experience. She has spent over a decade in medical writing and editing, with a focus on diabetes and autoimmune disease.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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