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Decaff coffee

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Outlier

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,104
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Does anyone have any information to share about decaff coffee? I went on this before my last blood test because I was being harangued about cholesterol, and some research suggested that decaff coffee might make for friendlier readings than normal coffee. Other research suggested not! I appreciate that some decaff involves the use of chemicals that probably negate any alleged health advantages. Decaff coffee seems to have come a long way from years ago when it was not at all nice, and I don't really mind which I have. Thoughts/experiences would be most welcome.
 
I drink decaff with a little cream and unsweetened almond milk and my levels are not affected - however, if I put milk in it will spike. i can only have 2 cups a day or it will result in a fuzzy head or a migraine. Sometimes I just have black decaff also and no problems. Same with chocolate, I think its a chemical imbalance in my body that kicks up a fuss if I have too much of either!
 
I drink a lot of Swiss water decaf as get headaches and palpitations on caffeine. It doesn’t seem to affect my blood sugars, although I’m not sure if the cream I add has stalled my weight loss.
 
I initially started drinking decaf many many years ago well before I was T2, because I hoped it might help prevent my chronic migraines. I'm not sure whether or not it actually helped but I'm still drinking it. But when I started low carbing I switched from adding (skimmed) milk to unsweetened almond or hazelnut "milk" or sometimes cream , and also use liquid stevia in place of sugar. So while I'm not able to offer any thoughts on the decaf itself, reducing the carbs in what I put into it will be helping prevent any issues with higher glucose levels.
 
I went decaff several years ago, once I realised that anything caffeineated drunk after 12 noon would still have me awake and buzzing at 02:00.
I like and need my sleep :cat:
Since T2 I do drink more coffee as I like it with cream and use it as an appetite suppressant or to skip breakfast
I occasionally drink a full caffeine coffee, if I know I need to stay awake or alert for a minimum of 14 hours.
I dont notice any difference to bg between decaf and full.
Milk does raise me more than cream.

Just my personal experience, no idea whether it will help you or not
 
Outlier said:
Does anyone have any information to share about decaff coffee? I went on this before my last blood test because I was being harangued about cholesterol, and some research suggested that decaff coffee might make for friendlier readings than normal coffee. Other research suggested not! I appreciate that some decaff involves the use of chemicals that probably negate any alleged health advantages. Decaff coffee seems to have come a long way from years ago when it was not at all nice, and I don't really mind which I have. Thoughts/experiences would be most welcome.
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I drink lots of coffee. From what I read it’s the way that it’s made which may affect cholesterol. … I read that filtering takes out some of the oils which can affect the body in this way .. it’s not necessarily to do with caffeine ….. I have no idea if it’s true or how true but if you are reading on the subject and come across anything meaningful do post it. I’ll do the same.
 
Only 25% of one's cholesterol in the blood comes from the food and drink you take in. ie 75% is produced by your body regardless. I can't remember where I read this once upon a time. But when I quote this to medical professionals, no-one argues with me.

So if you have high cholesterol, especially with diabetes, it is probably caused by the complex cycles of fats and glucose we have that is part of being human. Some of us with diabetes have dysregulated - deranged even! Blood lipids, as in that cycle is pretty out of whack. I am in this situation myself. I focus on my trigylceride level - which is indicates how your body is dealing with the fats (and glucose) you are eating and drinking, and there is a ratio with HDL fats that is a good one to track for your health.

One thing you can track regarding the effect of what you eat and drink and your cholesterol level is keep really good records of your blood lipid test results. My total cholesterol level is high, but lower, not by a lot, but lower, since going low-carb high-fat eating and drinking. As many note if you read up on this - it's about the relationship of sugars and fats that matters the most, it seems. Not just fats alone, and ditto blood sugar/carbs. (My trig and HDL levels are definitely vastly improved since LCHF eating and drinking. Which includes lots of decaf and caffeinated coffee!)

Blood lipids is about heart health ultimately, so I strongly recommend reading up on this as much as you can. There are official state sponsored online quizes you can do that estimate your heart health levels from your various test results - I strongly recommend you doing this.

Because - the concern about decaffeinated ground coffee beans is really about being concerned about your risk level for cardiovascular events.
 
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