Khaberni - A team of scientists found that coffee might control blood sugar levels more effectively than some common diabetes medications.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to its effects, leading to an accumulation of glucose in the blood. If blood sugar levels are not well controlled, this can lead to serious complications including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and nerve damage.
While the course of the disease can sometimes be reversed with weight loss and lifestyle changes, many patients require long-term treatment with medications, such as insulin and GLP-1 and "Acarbose". Previous studies also indicate that regular coffee consumption is linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, and that drinking three to five cups daily may offer the greatest health benefits.
In this regard, a recent study showed that compounds found in roasted Arabica coffee inhibit a specific enzyme that plays a key role in breaking down carbohydrates during digestion, the same enzyme targeted by the drug "Acarbose". By inhibiting this enzyme, coffee slows the release of glucose into the blood after a meal, helping to reduce spikes in blood sugar levels.
Using a sophisticated three-step extraction process, the team isolated three previously unknown compounds they named "Cafaldehyde A, B, and C", all of which showed significant ability to inhibit the enzyme "alpha-glucosidase".
The team says this discovery could pave the way for the development of natural "functional foods" that help lower blood glucose levels, along with other health benefits.
These findings come at a time when experts warn that some patients who take weight loss injections, such as "Mounjaro" and "Wegovy" also used in diabetes management, may need to continue using them in the long term. Although these injections show significant benefits in the short term, including weight loss and improved heart health, these benefits may fade once treatment is stopped, according to a review conducted by Oxford University.
