Deseret News | Can drinking coffee help control type 2 diabetes?

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Can drinking coffee help control type 2 diabetes?

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Nieren | 6:58 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

No, drinking coffee does not help control any kinds of diabetes. Coffee contains caffeine, which acts upon the pancreas and adrenal glands to give the much coveted feelings of energy. It unfortunately weakens both glands, accelerating the onset and strength of diabetes.

bcs | 7:20 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

coffee please, no sugar no creamer, thanks! um um good

mymy | 7:31 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

self-induced. my my, isn't some little staff writer a bit sanctimonious.

Comments continue below

re:Nieren | 8:00 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Did you even read the article? It says that caffeine makes diabetes less manageable but that the positive effects of coffee appear to outweigh that effect.

CougarKeith | 8:07 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Just another stab at the Word of Wisdom, it will prove wrong in the long haul.

Jamie | 8:20 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I don't Know about coffee with being LDS and all!?! but I certainly love caffeine.

Anonymous | 8:40 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

No the writer said type 2 diabetes is self-induced because you can largely control your symptoms through your diet and lifestyle- which is true not some sanctimonious statement. Anyone, like me, who has to deal with diabetes knows it is under his/her control. He also said the POSITIVE effects of coffee are NEGATED by the bad effects caffeine has on your system. I hope they figure this out...even though I am very fit from an athletic point of view (I play a lot of sports and am very fit looking) every time I eat I have to watch it or POW!

TexanUt | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Its a shame that certain religions ban the use of so called stimulants when rampant drinking of red bull and other sugar laden drinks are so popular in Utah.Sit back and enjoy the delicious taste of a good cup of coffee and be awake for your morning commute on the roads! (It is not a sin)

perhaps | 8:47 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

What the general public seems to do is half-read articles about scientific studies and apply them willy nilly to their lives. After reading the research this article is based on, coffee can be beneficial when taken the way "bcs" likes it - black. If you add sugar, everything changes.

There is long-standing research that shows benefits of caffeine taken WITHOUT sugar/sugar substitutes. Beneficial in many ways. However, add in sugar/sugar substitutes and you've got poison on your hands.

Dave | 8:52 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Scientists are finding that both coffee and tea have significant health benefits.

Apparently, Joseph Smith and the other Mormon prophets lacked the prescience in foreseeing the health benefits of some of these substances that are forbidden by the Mormon Word of Wisdom!

I wonder what else they were wrong about?

Guillermo | 9:14 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I drink coffee every morning, no sugar but milk or powder creamer. Anybody know what's in the creamer? Can't be good for you.

coffee nut | 9:32 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I love the black libation. Not so much for the caffien but for the aroma, the flavor, etc. great with a slice of appple pie too. For many like myself its a cultural thing. I think. My understanding is that in Germany coffee is drunk until early afternoon.

Coffee good thing | 10:23 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

My folks, both from Europe, drank coffee and ate home made goodies with friends and family.
Both my parents lived healthy long lives.

Oh, and it will keep a person "regular" if you know what I mean.

californialds | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

re:Dave, I wonder how many would be better off if they do what the prophet has asked the members to do. One is what we eat, and if we did they would not be so many over weight people. So before you judge the word of wisdom read the whole thing about the word of wisdom. As the Dr.'s have said what we eat and how much is what is causing the over weight factor and type2.

Alternatives for LDS | 10:48 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

What is beneficial is the anti-oxidents. Chocolate for LDS will work too, putting fruits and vegetables into a blender, along with fish and flax oil also helps along with exercise.

Yes coffee will work but so will other things.

K | 10:50 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I know it's bad, but I do love me some caffeine--Diet Coke!

My doctor says he does not not know why, and it shouldn't, but it DOES drop my blodd glucose levels drastically. I really need to watch it...can't take an Excedrin with my cola...

And Dave, that's quite a stretch you're making there...but any excuse, huh?

Tea vs Coffee | 10:56 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I would like to see this study changed in two ways: 1) Compare the health effects of coffee vs. tea; 2) focus on people who have Type 2 diabetes as a genetic disorder. I weigh less that 120 pounds, and I'm diabetic. This "study" means nothing to me.

George | 12:15 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

What's a TexanUt

WofW and Perspective | 12:35 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

LDS tend to have a severe case of tunnel vision when it comes to "commandments" like the Word of Wisdom. Is all they know or care about is that TODAY the consumption of tea and coffee leads one to be considered "unworthy".

There is nothing wrong with a little history and perspective. The WofW was in response both to Emma's disdain for the mess the church leaders made with their tobacco spitting and a widespread temperance movement that had branches in Nauvoo. It was originally a recommendation that Brigham Young was still reminding Bishops in GC talks to curtail their personal use of tobacco and alcohol even after being well-settled in Utah.

Only slowly over did "hot drinks" come to mean coffee and tea or did the wofw take on the commandment-like significance it has today. Some early Saints considered hot soup out of bounds in the same way coffee and tea is today. I can imagine they had hot soup debates the same way some die-hard LDS do about caffeinated sodas today.

It is simply interesting to note how MUCH of LDS doctrine has evolved rather than originating from the nice clean clear revelations most today imagine.

Hey Dave | 1:20 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

AHAHAHAHAHA
Right on Brother!

WofW perspective: | 2:18 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

The information you provided isn't anything new. Emma did ask for the curtailing of such substances but the word of wisdom came about through revelation. When the information was first set I'm sure there was some confusion.

Coffee for dad | 2:27 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I'm LDS as are my parents. My dad has been suffering with cancer for awhile now and with it, his nausea gets in the way. Yes he has his anti-nausea pills, but doesn't like the way it leaves him drugged up and sluggish. He has tried other means to stop the nausea such as ginger and other remedies. Nothing has helped.

He as found that coffee sooths his stomach as well as his headaches. I believe coffee is a more "natural" medicinal way to help people with their ailments, compared to the chemically-made nausea pills. If coffee helps my dad this way, then I think "Heavenly Father" will not only understand, he'll (in a way) encourage it. I mean seriously, can you see God saying..."I'd rather you take the pills that are made in a science lab instead of a natural bean (i.e. coffee bean) that is from the earth."?
Coffee is here intentionally for some purpose here on earth. The only thing is, we can't start drinking coffee where we use it as an excuse for the ailments when there really isn't.

What it really comes down to it, it's between God and the person that's suffering. Not us.

But...But... | 2:36 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Coffee is an evil abomination on par with murder and adultery, I thought!

/sarcasm

In all seriousness, the history of the Church, particularly in Utah, shows that coffee, tea, and wine were not commonly believed to be against the Word of Wisdom until sometime in the late 19th century. None of those terms are contained in the original revelation.

Joseph Smith himself drank tea on regular occasion, and also wine at various times.

Says something about religious interpretation, methinks.

Its the temperature stupid... | 2:56 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I have been watching my LDS friends lately. If coffee were cold, they would drink it. They drink lots of Mt Dew because it is cold and its not called coffee. That may be the reduction of diabetes if they were to drink coffee instead of Mt Dew.

Thank Heaven | 2:56 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

for the Word of Wisdom! Without it I would be at a loss for what grains to feed my farm animals versus to use in my hot cereal. On a serious note - it is nice to see church leaders focusing on what is the health plague of our generation - prescription medication abuse. However, considering the emphasis members put on the actual Word of Wisdom, I would love to see it updated to be much more clear and relevant. Taking away irrelevent grain distinctions, clarifying hot drinks, and being specific about prescription and other modern day drug abuse and weight management/physical fitness would bring that revelation into the 20th century.

SpySmiley | 3:11 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

It's a shame that some LDS people with diabetes won't drink coffee because it's against their religion. A real shame. What the church should do is give those folks dispensation for medicinal reasons. Trust me, they won't go to h-e-double toothpicks.

Doctors often prescribe small amounts of alcohol for various ailments - small and, again for medicinal reasons. If taken as the doctor orders, there is no harm. Same with black coffee. No harm. Avoid cream and sugar, learn to drink it black. It's wonderful.

Indeed, black coffee is a great way to start the day and helps in soothing headaches and other pains.

It's been around forever and will remain so for as long.

What if it's cold? | 3:11 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Does that make a difference?

coffee enjoyment | 3:18 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Halleluia and Amen for coffee drinking in moderation!

Foolishness | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Anyone that thinks drinking coffee, or tea (probably the healthiest drink on earth) is a sin, is a blind fool.

James | 4:02 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Yea, RIGHT ON DAVE. I think out of all of the things you could make fun of the Mormons on you chose the wrong one. The word of wisdom was created how many years before they found the side effects of drinking and smoking?? From a guy with a 4th grade education?? Yea your right it was all just a guess.

Wow! | 4:04 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

This whole article has given me a headache. I think I'll take an Excedrin. Or drink some coffee. Same thing.

DH | 4:10 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

What this article is really about is the cost and impact of our sedentary lifestyles and obesity. We need to get up and exercise and control our eating habits by eating foods that are good for us and in correct portions. If we do these things we will have no need to concern ourselves with either the positive or negative aspects of coffee.

Obesity is a major problem in this country and it is costing us an extreme amount of money, whether we are obese or not. While some of you prefer to write rude blogs about the LDS church and word of wisdom it would be nice if the real issue were discussed and dealt with.

Natalie | 4:29 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I have type 1 diabetes, and drinking straight black coffee seems to lower my blood sugars a bit.

Ignorant Thinking | 4:51 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Re: Foolishness,
YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, AND NOT BE SO JUDGMENTAL. What ashame to be so dormant in ones thinking about something you know nothing about. There are many teas out there that are EXTREME HEALTH builders. I am quite offended by your ridiculous comment. Please do yourself a great health favor and go study about these things. If coffee is good for diabetics...so be it.

bluegreengirl | 5:08 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

COFFEE :)
Coffee is more proof that there is a loving God. We are given this beautiful bean to roast and grind and then brew...and best drunk strong and black. THANK YOU GOD for this wonderful gift. I earn my living from it, what a joy to interact with so many diverse people...it is something nearly ALL of humanity enjoys, giving us something wonderful in common. Something in common with folks all over the world, now THAT is a beautiful thing. Oh, yeah and it tastes great, makes you feel great AND it is good for you in reasonable quantities!

But James... | 5:15 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

the health effects of alcohol, tobbacco and even hot drinks were a huge social/health movement before and at the time JS brought out the WofW. Unfortunately its like most decisions made through history by the Church - a response one way or another to internal or external pressures/movements. Its just that as members we all grow up hearing the revelation version. I still love the Church but am much more at peace not having to believe everything (or most things even) are revelations from God.

Thomas | 5:25 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

The Word of Wisdom is Mormon kosher, nothing more or less. Smoking is bad for you, but we already knew that (in fact, King James I knew that from the first moment Walter Raleigh came back from Virginia and puffed smoke in his face). Coffee and tea are no more physically harmful than bacon or shellfish. Abstaining from them is a religious gesture, not something Mormons ought to try and defend as universally healthful practices.

Life needed | 5:32 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

RE- FOOLISH,
I love coffee. It has never hurt me in anyway shape or form, and I certainly believe that it does help diabetes. Maybe the church needs to let people make up their own minds about what is good for each individuals body. I think that some people think it's okay to indulge in eating large amounts of fatty foods and that this is just okay and that they are living the word of wisdom because they are active in the church. Now that! is truly a SIN in my opinion no matter how active you are. If you think weighing 300 pounds and saying that you are righteous and sinless, then you are truly missing something in the old noodle. To tell you the truth, whatever a person puts in their body does not make them a sinner. Good greif!

Re: Ignorant Thinking | 6:03 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Exactly what part of my post offends you? The part that says drinking coffee or tea is not a sin? The part that says tea is probably one of the healthiest drinks on the earth? Both statements are true so it must be something else that offends you. Perhaps it is that the WofW is being challenged.

I have studied these things extensively. Your comment only proves that you have not, yet you say I need to go back to school...typical.

Problem solved for LDS | 6:14 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I just drink decaf

geeze | 6:15 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

here we go again...in the long run ..but how come when i go to wendover, go to the store on sundays, the place is filled with members? let everyone live and die for what they believe , so don't so arrogant as some of you have forgot as usual.

unBlessed | 6:23 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I used to drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning. That's it. I was not alowed to baptize, bless or ordain my children or get a temple rec. I quit the coffee and switched to diet cola. 12 cans a day give or take a couple and now I am in good standing.

My blood presure dropped and my doc cut my BP med prescription in half and it is still lower than when I had that terrible coffee habit. I guess you could make the case to go either way.

A cup a day keeps the blessings away!

Re: unBlessed | 7:00 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I doubt that your BP went down by switching from 2 cups of coffee to 12 cans of cola. You actually went from 400mg of caffeine to 480mg.

12 sodas a day and you say you had a terrible coffee habit?

Just goes to show how bogus the WofW really is.

A Splended Group | 7:07 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I see the usual grumpy then life group are on here. I want you folks to all know that you are better than the TV show I watch called "My Names Earl". I thought I'd just let y'all know how wonderfully entertaining y'all truly are. I also love a coffee break now and then. Oh, by the way, try some chocolate flavored coffee--it's wonderful too!

Ken Goddard | 7:43 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I'd have to have the LDS Church's opinion before I would swallow this study.

Tammy | 8:30 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I am a convert to the church and used to be a coffee drinker(and quite a drinking party girl) and it just exasperates me that other Mormons always think that the WOW is nothing but a health code.
When I stopped drinking my coffee(wow what a headache,etc..)and the stuff detoxed out of me, what a spiritual difference it made in my life.
I felt different physically, but the spiritual difference was astounding.
Not drinking coffee separated me from worldliness.
I wouldn't go back to it no matter HOW MANY health benefits I am supposedly missing.
And as far as coffee helping Diabetes II: if you go for that you are lazy and stupid,IMO. Get off your duff and exercise and eat right.
Caffeinated beverages deplete your body of iodine giving you breast tissue diseases including cancer.
You can't totally decaffeinate coffee.

Kevin | 8:50 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

There is a big potential confounder, here. Coffee is the drink of choice among our wealthier classes, and the incidence of obesity, a major contributor to Type II diabetes, is much lower among our wealthier classes. I bet the incidence of Type II diabetes is lowest among the people who drink the most expensive coffee. Conversely, I bet the incidence of Type II diabetes is highest among those who drink the cheapest brands of beer and are big fans of NASCAR. Distinguishing between correlation and causation in associational studies is difficult. So drinking coffee and swearing off NASCAR will probably do nothing to help you. Do yourself a favor. Eat fewer calories and exercise regularly, preferably BEFORE you develop type II diabetes, especially if you are genetically predisposed to it. We know this works. This coffee thing... Remember when they were recommending that we all switch to margarine?

No judge of others | 9:27 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

You do what you want and I'll do what I want. Just don't judge me man!

John Pack Lambert | 9:38 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

To Tammy,
Yours was one of only two worthwhile comments on here, the other being unblessed.
You are the only two who get it. The Word of Wisdom is a spiritual law, and has been from the beganning. Every law the Lord gives us is spiritual.
While it is true that James I spoke ill of tobacco, it is also true that in the 1950s doctors would be sponsors of cigaretts, and it was not until well into the 20th century that anyone documented the connection of hear disease and coffee.
I guess there is some validity of the correlation vs. causation comment, but it is disturbing how many people are so willing to go on open season against the word of wisdom.
I guess we want to flock to our high end coffee houses and drink gourmet coffees like all other people. Sometimes it amazes me how hard hearted the poeple of Israel were, but than I come read the Deseret News boards and see that there are many people still as hard hearted.

Cal | 9:53 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Hey, They use coffee in holistic medicine for a good strong enema...I'm not kidding either, and It really works wonders on the human body system. It's better than the over the counter enemas. There are good things to use coffee for, and not just for drinking.

Hey, John P Lambert, what do you know?

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