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The Effects of Coffee on Blood Sugar & Weight Gain

Consuming coffee, even decaffeinated, can have an adverse effect on weight loss goals, as well as increasing insulin resistance. Coffee can trigger food cravings, causing you to take in more calories than you need. If you consume a lot of coffee throughout the day and have found it difficult to lose weight, you may want to consider kicking the coffee habit.

  1. Caffeine and Appetite

    • Caffeine intake has been linked to hypoglycemia, a low-blood sugar condition. Low blood sugar can result in a feeling of light-headedness, sweating, and panic. The body's response to low blood sugar is to crave foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. Because foods high in sugar and carbohydrates often contain empty calories, blood sugar will rise but quickly crash, causing a cyclical response of high-calorie food cravings throughout the day.

    Caffeine and GABA

    • Caffeine has been shown to decrease brain levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter and amino acid that regulates stress and emotions, especially anxiety. A lack of GABA can lead to a feeling of sadness or anxiousness, which in turn can trigger emotional eating.

    Coffee and Food Cravings

    • Ingredients found in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee have been shown to increase secretion of cortisol, the body's stress hormone. Cortisol triggers the body's "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, as well as alerting the body to take in more energy. This results in food cravings, especially for sweets and foods high in carbohydrates. Studies have shown that prolonged elevation of cortisol levels increase belly fat, a condition linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

    Coffee and Blood Sugar

    • A number of studies have shown that caffeine contributes to insulin resistance, a condition in which the pancreas produces insulin but no longer has the ability to use it effectively. Insulin resistance results in elevated levels of blood sugar or glucose, increasing the risk of developing Type II diabetes and heart disease.

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