Scientists claim that a regular cup of coffee may be more effective at controlling blood sugar levels than acarbose, a commonly prescribed diabetes drug. This finding points to a potential new benefit for people with type 2 diabetes, who often rely on medications or injections to manage glucose levels.

Researchers compared compounds in roasted Arabica coffee with acarbose, which works by slowing carbohydrate breakdown after meals. They found that coffee effectively inhibits alpha-glucosidase, a digestive enzyme targeted by acarbose, helping to blunt post-meal blood sugar spikes.

The study, published in Beverage Plant Research, identified three previously unknown compounds—caffaldehydes A, B, and C—through a three-step extraction process. All three showed significant alpha-glucosidase inhibition, opening the door for “functional foods” with natural glucose-lowering properties.

Previous large-scale research has also linked regular coffee consumption to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Evidence suggests that drinking three to five cups daily offers the greatest benefit.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it, resulting in high blood sugar. Poorly controlled diabetes can cause serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and nerve damage. The condition is closely associated with excess weight and fat accumulation in the liver, which increase insulin resistance. Common symptoms include fatigue, increased thirst, and frequent urination.

Globally, over 400 million people live with type 2 diabetes, making blood sugar management critical. In the UK alone, approximately 4.3 million people had diabetes in 2021-22, with rising obesity driving a 39 percent increase in cases among those under 40. Type 2 diabetes accounts for around 90 percent of all diabetes cases and is typically diagnosed later in life.

While some patients can reverse type 2 diabetes through significant weight loss and lifestyle changes, many require ongoing treatment, including diet modifications and medications like insulin, GLP-1 drugs, and acarbose. New weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy have shown dramatic short-term benefits, including improved heart health and weight loss, but a major Oxford review warns that many gains may diminish once treatment ends, highlighting the need for long-term management.