I read one of the posts about coffee, but I am more confused, I wanted to ask Sue K. should I try and quit coffee or is there a way to maintain at least a cup or two a day?

Hi, Dr. Sears recommends slowly switching to decaf because the caffeine in regular coffee elevates insulin.
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sue
Consultant of Zone Labs
Certified Zone Affiliate

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here:
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View my classic Zone meal photos here:
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Sue,
So does decaf not elevate insulin- or just not as much?

I don't know if decaf has any effect on insulin, but if it does, obviously it would be less, since Barry Sears recommends it over regular coffee specifically because of it's reduction in caffeine.

____________________________________________

sue
Consultant of Zone Labs
Certified Zone Affiliate

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0

Thank you very much Sue, I was thinking about switching to decaf, I have also cut back from 4 cups to 2 and I read that if you drink a bottle of water with each cup it helps dilute the shock to the insulin. Thanks for your reply. Your posts have been helpful.

You're welcome. It's my understanding extra water recommendation is to help stay hydrated in light of the diuretic effect of drinking coffee and tea.

Claire, I have tossed this question back and forth, as well. There is more recent evidence that the caffeine in coffee actually reduces the risk of developing diabetes. I wrote in to Zone Labs on this question, and received an email response from Barry Sears, I was trying to find his response in my mailbox--but can't find it at the moment--will look later.

His response gave me the impression that this caffeine connection was not as huge of an issue, and that if caffeine does not put you out of the Zone (OOZ), then it isn't an issue. But, I will try to locate the specific email and post it here.

BTW, caffeine does not have a diuretic effect. In some people, it may stimulate the bladder, giving one the sensation to void, but it does not actually make anyone urinate more than what they would take in. Drinking water is always recommended, I am not saying you don't have to drink water. But, the need for water is not based on the "diuretic effect" of caffeine, because there is none.

I had done some research on whether coffee and tea has a diuretic effect or not. (Both caffeinated and decaf/herbal.) It seems the "experts" are divided. In amounts of water, you should drink 1/2 your body weight (pounds) in oz. So to err on the cautious side, I do not count tea (I do not drink coffee of any kind) towards my daily water requirement.
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So, for example, I am at 170 pounds weight, and 1/2 is 85. So I drink a minimum of 85 oz. of water per day, usually more esp. on my heavy exercise days, and also while kayaking, hiking, bicycling, snow shoeing, or XCountry skiing.

Well, actually all liquids have some kind of diuretic effect, because theoretically any liquid taken in should be expected to come out. So, even (and especially) water has a diuretic effect.

But, when we commonly talk about diuretic effects, we talk about an altered fluid balance, more going out than coming in.

Just looking for some references... these are articles with some credible references.
http://www.advance.uconn.edu/2002/0...072207.htm
http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2009...fects.html

Going back to what I posted regarding the email, I haven't found the email yet, but thinking on it further, it seems as if he had said that if you don't have a glucose impairment or insulin sensitivity, then drinking caffeinated coffee is fine. But, let me continue to look for his email.

Ahhh! Found it!

"It’s the metabolic breakdown products of coffee that increase insulin. However, increasing insulin is different than insulin resistance, which comes from a dysfunctional insulin signaling system in target cells. Once you develop insulin resistance, insulin levels are elevated all day in spite of any coffee consumption. Coffee also contain polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory properties that would help prevent the development of diabetes in some individuals. Bottom line, if you don’t have insulin resistance (a low TG/HDL ratio would be indicative that you don’t), then drinking coffee in moderation may have some anti-inflammatory benefits.

Barry"

So interesting! I actually have stopped drinking coffee after drinking it almost hourly while living in Italy because I can't handle the caffeine when I'm living a normal schedule (I'm ADD and it makes me sleepy and or shaky) and I'll admit that I was also worried about it staining my teeth (so vain). However, that being said, I really really like coffee so I do have the little decaf instant crystals that I have put in my cottage cheese for a little bit of flavoring very occasionally. Yum.

Yes, I thought it was interesting, too! And, that tip you have, mixing in decaf coffee crystals into your cottage cheese... interesting! Might have to give that one a try!

I put cinnamon on top of my cottage cheese, granted it has no caffiene, but does control your blood sugar.