Can black coffee help control blood sugar and cholesterol?

Answer:

Unsweetened black coffee can be part of a healthy diet for most people, but it should not be considered a treatment for high blood sugar, abnormal blood lipids or liver disease.

Long-term observational studies have found that habitual coffee drinkers tend to have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. However, this association does not prove that coffee itself prevents the disease.

In the short term, caffeine may temporarily reduce insulin sensitivity and cause blood sugar to rise slightly after meals in some people. Coffee therefore should not be expected to immediately stabilize glucose levels.

For blood lipids, the brewing method matters. Unfiltered or boiled coffee contains cafestol and kahweol, compounds that can raise total cholesterol and LDL, or "bad," cholesterol.

Paper-filtered coffee contains much lower levels of these compounds because most are trapped by the filter.

Unsweetened black coffee can be part of a healthy diet for most people. Illustration photo by Pixabay

Coffee consumption has also been associated with a lower risk of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. However, clinical trials have not established clear evidence that it directly reduces liver enzymes such as ALT and AST.

People who do not normally drink coffee do not need to start simply in hopes of improving their blood test results. A moderate amount of properly filtered, unsweetened black coffee can fit into a balanced lifestyle, but it has no proven role as a medical treatment.

Long-term metabolic health still depends primarily on a healthy diet, maintaining an appropriate weight, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and limiting alcohol consumption.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong
PhD, Specialist Doctor Level II, Head of Outpatient Department, An Sinh Hospital