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Coffee does not modify postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses induced by carbohydrates

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Abstract

Background

Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that coffee consumption is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes. In postprandial studies, however, caffeine consumption has been associated with impaired glucose regulation.

Aim of the study

To study the acute effects of coffee and caffeine-containing soft drinks on glycaemic and insulinaemic responses.

Design

Twelve healthy volunteers were served each test food once and the reference glucose solution twice, containing 50 g of available carbohydrates, after an overnight fast at 1-week intervals in a random order. Capillary blood samples were drawn at 15–30 min intervals for 2 h after each study meal. The incremental areas under the curve (IAUC), glycaemic index (GI) and insulinaemic index (II), were calculated to estimate the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses.

Results

Glucose and insulin responses of coffees with glucose containing 150 or 300 mg of caffeine did not differ from responses of pure glucose solution; the GIs were 104 and 103, and the IIs were 89 and 92, respectively. When a bun or sucrose and milk were consumed together with coffee, lower GI values and insulin responses were observed, reflecting the carbohydrate quality and protein content of the accompaniments. Sucrose-sweetened cola produced a high GI value of 90 and an II of 61.

Conclusions

Coffee does not modify glycaemic and insulinaemic responses when ingested with a carbohydrate source. Therefore, there is no need to avoid coffee as a choice of beverage in GI testing.

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Acknowledgments

We warmly thank the volunteers for taking the time to participate in postprandial study. We thank Heikki Pakkala and Jukka Lauronen for assisting with the technical aspects of the study; Laura Lund, Taina Öhman, Elina Rintala, Irja Kanniainen and Lea Paul for laboratory assistance. This study was supported by Academy of Finland (grant no. 111420), the Juho Vainio Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Finnish Graduate School on Applied Bioscience: Bioengineering, Food and Nutrition, Environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Lifestyles and Participation, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Mannerheimintie 166, 00271, Helsinki, Finland

    Katja A. Hätönen, Harri K. Sinkko & Liisa M. Valsta

  2. Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Mannerheimintie 166, 00271, Helsinki, Finland

    Jarmo Virtamo, Johan G. Eriksson, Iris Erlund, Pekka Jousilahti & Jaana M. Leiviskä

  3. Department of General Practise and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Johan G. Eriksson

  4. Vaasa Central Hospital, Vaasa, Finland

    Johan G. Eriksson

  5. Unit of General Practise, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    Johan G. Eriksson

  6. Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland

    Johan G. Eriksson

Authors
  1. Katja A. Hätönen
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  2. Jarmo Virtamo
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  3. Johan G. Eriksson
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Correspondence to Katja A. Hätönen.

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Hätönen, K.A., Virtamo, J., Eriksson, J.G. et al. Coffee does not modify postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses induced by carbohydrates. Eur J Nutr 51, 801–806 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0258-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0258-4

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