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Ok, so I'm a Type 1 diabetic that loves coffee. I've given it up in the past and am considering doing so again, however there are days that I find it hard to be productive without it. I'm hoping that doing so will help me sleep better and have better cortisol control. I've also heard that it can cause gut issues and glucose metabolism issues in Diabetics. I always seem to pick up some other vice like chewing gum when I do so. So should I give up coffee?

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hey coincidence: i just gave up coffee two days ago. Green tea now so im still caffeinated – ben61820 May 24 2011 at 18:33
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 The problem with caffeine for diabetics is that it increases insulin resistance in the liver (300mg = 15% increase in insulin resistance iirc). But that would primarily be an issue for type 2's. You might want to keep an eye on it, though. 1-2 cups? No big deal. 4 or more? Time for some decaf. Caffeine can have other negative effects in large doses, but some people seem more susceptable (jitters/headaches/sleeplessness, etc.) than others. – Dave S. May 24 2011 at 19:51
Agree with the decaf, I alternate between the two myself. Just watch where the decaf is from and how it's decaffeinated, there are some very nasty chemicals used in some processes. – Alan May 25 2011 at 8:16

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NO! Unless it is causing you particular problems (like for some people the half-life of caffeine in the body is longer for others and it causes sleep disturbances) I would say keep it in your diet. It has magnesium and is protective against heavy metals, etc. And besides it just tastes good. Unfortunately, I am particularly sensitive to caffeine and so have to severely limit my intake. If that's not the case with you, then I say "ENJOY!".

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Mmmmmm coffee. Seriously. I think I would have to find out it was actively killing me to stop. – sherpamelissa May 24 2011 at 18:21
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I've given up caffeinated coffee, mostly. I used to slug back cups and cups of coffees and redeyes (coffee with a shot of espresso). I figured it couldn't be helping me with my inability to get to sleep at a reasonable time. Also thought I had some cortisol issues.

I gradually switched to teas and decafs. Then for a while I would only drink 99.9% decaf coffee and tea I had brewed to be decaffeinated (basically do a 30 second brew, throw out the water, and brew it again. The first 30 seconds extracts most of the caffeine).

I felt a lot better and got a lot better sleep, but you'll still have to pry my decaf out of my cold, dead hands.

I fully admit to making a half-caf when I get to work if I've really had a rough night, which happens occasionally with two very young kids at home :)

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I don't understand the point of decaf, to me that would be like eating lowfat butter. – Henny May 24 2011 at 17:33
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 I love the taste/feel/aroma of hot coffee. Call it a placebo effect for me, and any others who drink it. You're not obliged to partake :) – Casey May 24 2011 at 17:42
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 fair enough.... – Henny May 24 2011 at 18:02
I switched to decaf. It still has some caffeine (like 10-20% as much). And it has the coffee antioxidants. Oh wait, that's anti-antioxidants! (That have an antioxidant effect though hormesis according to Stephan Guyenet. – Dave S. May 24 2011 at 19:53
@Henry, lowfat butter, lol. I alternate my caffeinated/ decaffeinated days to my workouts and also to reduce the addictive quality of the caffeine. I found after a lifetime of 2-3 caffeinated coffees a day every day if for some reason I didn't/ couldn't I'd suffer the most debilitating headaches. I didn't like this so after the withdrawal process I now don't usually have caffeine 2 days in a row. – Alan May 25 2011 at 8:23
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Absolutely not. http://nephropal.blogspot.com/2009/10/beans-coffe-and-cacao.html

Coffee and cacao are one of man's best natural substances to limit inflammation in the body.

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Small amounts are good, but large amounts may be bad. Kinda like a lot of things... – Dave S. May 24 2011 at 19:44
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It's worth giving it a shot. Just do the 30 day thing and reintroduce. I did it and found out pretty quick that coffee at times exacerbates fatigue. If I drink a cup on a good day, it's not really a problem. But on a bad day, man it's mean to me. It can be harsh on your adrenals and harsh on your thyroids. If you have digestive problem, it can exacerbate them. Try it and tell us how it went.

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