Coffee increases risk of pre-diabetes in adults with hypertension

Here’s something to wake up to: If you already have hypertension, drinking coffee increases your chances of getting diabetes. That’s uh, really sick.

A 12-year study was done by Dr Lucio Mos, a cardiologist at Hospital of San Daniele del Friuli in Udine, Italy, to check the relationship between coffee drinking and pre-diabetes. The study observed 1,200 non-diabetic patients between 18 to 45 years old. All the participants have untreated stage 1 hypertension.

The participants were classifies as non-drinkers, moderate (1-3 cups/day) and heavy drinkers (4 or more cups/day). Non-drinkers comprised 26.3%, moderate drinkers 62.7%, and heavy drinkers made up 10%. Heavy drinkers were observed to be older and had a higher body mass index compared to non-drinkers.

Results show that there is a direct relationship between coffee drinking and hypertension getting worse. Hypertension then increases the chances of getting Type 2 diabetes later in life. When these factors combine, the study concluded that hypertensive; heavy coffee drinkers increased their chances of getting pre-diabetes by 100%.

The rate your body metabolizes caffeine also plays a part. The CYP1A2 is a genome that determines if you’re a fast or slow caffeine burner. The risk of getting pre-diabetes is higher for slow metabolizers.

“Drinking coffee increases the risk of prediabetes in young adults with hypertension who are slow caffeine metabolizers,” said Dr Mos.
“Slow caffeine metabolizers have longer exposure to the detrimental effects of caffeine on glucose metabolism. The risk is even greater if they are overweight or obese, and if they are heavy coffee drinkers. Thus, the effect of coffee on prediabetes depends on the amount of daily coffee intake and genetic background.”

Dr Mos concluded: “Our study shows that coffee use is linearly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in young adults with mild hypertension. This relationship seems to be at least partially mediated by the long term effect of coffee on blood pressure and glucose metabolism. These patients should be aware that coffee consumption may increase their risk of developing more severe hypertension and diabetes in later life and should keep consumption to a minimum.”

Category: Top Story, Wellness and Complementary Therapies