Question

how can caffein affect the sugar balance in our body, and in what mechanisms? what are the short term effects of caffein on the sugar balance and what is its long term influence on the sugar balance?

Answer 1

Caffeine is a coffee active stimulant of the central nervous system (CNS). Consumption of the stimulant has both positive and negative effects. Caffeine disturbs the blood sugar level in the body.

Mechanism

Caffeine plays a key role in the glucose and lipid metabolism regulation in skeletal muscle. It is been noted in few studies that the caffeine may increase the role of glucose carriers such as GLUT2 and GLUT4 (Glucose transporter- found in adipose tissues and striated muscle). Caffeine is adsorbed quickly in to the blood stream and reaches to gastrointestinal tract and all biological membranes. It is mediated by antagonistic effects on adenosine receptors such as A1, A3, A2A receptors. These receptors are distributed widely in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular region, CNS including brain, renal and respiratory system. Once caffeine reaches the gastrointestinal tract it inhibits the adenosine receptors which lead to increase in release of neurotransmitters (A chemical that transmits signals from one neuron cell to another) which includes dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenalin. In simple way: Caffeine intake has an ability to lower the insulin sensitivity in turn there will be no or decrease adsorption of sugar from blood. This leads to increase in insulin level increase in blood sugar. Caffeine also raises certain stress hormones as mentioned above and disturbs the entire system.

Short term and long term effect of Caffeine in sugar balance

Studies have proved that caffeine administration impairs the glucose tolerance level to decrease insulin sensitivity in number of clinical trials. If a person is diabetic then limiting caffeine (coffee) intake will keep a control in blood sugar level and be beneficiary. Several epidemiological studies suggest that long term intake within the prescribed limit of coffee helps to maintain normal glucose tolerance. In general diabetic patients are not the only ones at risk even with normal healthy individuals caffeine causes impaired glucose metabolism. Long term /heavy user of coffee (not within the limit) intakes may lead to osteoporosis, high blood pressure, difficulty in sleeping, ulcers, anxiety, premature ageing, nervousness, irritation of stomach and breathing problems. Short term intake provides ready alertness and increase in body temperature and not much of major complication that effect the sugar balance.