Scientists have claimed that a regular cup of coffee could be more effective at controlling blood sugar levels than acarbose, a commonly prescribed diabetes drug. These findings suggest a potential new benefit for people with type 2 diabetes who often rely on injections and medication to stabilize their blood glucose levels.

To investigate this, researchers directly compared compounds found in roasted Arabica coffee with acarbose, a widely used medication that works by slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates after meals. They discovered that coffee effectively inhibited alpha-glucosidase, a key digestive enzyme also targeted by acarbose. This mechanism helps to blunt the spikes in blood sugar that typically occur following food consumption.

The study, published in the journal Beverage Plant Research, detailed a three-step extraction process that led to the isolation of three previously unknown compounds: caffaldehydes A, B, and C. All three demonstrated significant alpha-glucosidase inhibition. This discovery could pave the way for the development of "functional foods" that possess natural glucose-lowering properties and other health benefits.

Previous large-scale studies have consistently linked regular coffee drinking to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with evidence suggesting that each additional cup per day may further reduce this risk. Consuming between three and five cups of regular coffee daily has been associated with the greatest benefits.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by the body not producing enough insulin or becoming resistant to its effects, leading to excessively high blood glucose levels. If left poorly controlled, it can result in severe complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and nerve damage. The condition is closely linked to excess weight and the accumulation of fat in the liver, which makes it harder to control glucose levels and increases insulin resistance. Symptoms include tiredness, increased thirst, and frequent urination.

Globally, over 400 million people are affected by type 2 diabetes, making blood sugar control a critical aspect of managing the condition. In the UK, diabetes represents a rapidly escalating health crisis, with approximately 4.3 million people living with the condition in 2021-22. Rising obesity rates are driving a significant 39 percent increase in type 2 diabetes among individuals under 40 years old. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent of all diabetes cases and is typically diagnosed later in life, unlike type 1 diabetes, which is a genetic condition usually identified in childhood.

While type 2 diabetes can sometimes be reversed through significant weight loss and lifestyle modifications, many patients require long-term treatment. This includes diet and lifestyle changes, and in more serious cases, medications such as insulin, GLP-1 medicines, and acarbose. The discussion also touches upon new weight-loss injections, including Mounjaro and Wegovy, which are also used to help manage diabetes. Although hailed as breakthroughs in obesity treatment with dramatic short-term benefits like weight loss and improved heart health, a major Oxford review suggests that many of these gains may fade once treatment is discontinued, potentially necessitating long-term adherence.