Managing diabetics can be tough. But believe me it becomes less tough when you start to accept that you have diabetes. Start your journey by choosing the best coffee for diabetics.

Choosing your food options wisely helps manage the disorder. Remember that diabetes is not a disease but a disorder(not in order). Now, let’s dive into the options!

Table of Contents

1. South Indian filter coffee-127 calories

Every Indian especially Tamilians would have tasted this perfect blend of decoction, sugar, and milk. This drink not only tastes rich but is also calorie-rich. It’s perfectly fine to enjoy South Indian coffee once in a while but regular coffee breaks will break your health.

 What does coffee contain apart from sugar and milk? It has caffeine. Caffeine in moderation will help you but a higher amount like 4 cups a day will make you pee in a cup during your next doctor’s appointment.

So, you guessed right south Indian coffee is not the best coffee for diabetes.

2. Karupatti coffee-25 calories

Karupatti is extracted from palm trees. The palm tree is the state tree of Tamil Nadu. It is no surprise that Karupatti coffee is famous around Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Palm jaggery has a low glycemic index compared to white sugar which means it slowly increases blood sugar. Don’t wow too much because it still spikes the sugar level. Karupatti coffee is a good alternative to South Indian coffee but it still contains sugar and caffeine. If you are a regular coffee drinker then alternating coffee with Karupatti coffee is a good option.

Karupatti coffee recipe for diabetics

All you need to make karupatti coffee is palm jaggery(karupatti) and coffee powder.

Keep these ingredients ready

  • 1 Tsp coffee powder
  • 1 tsp palm jaggery powder
  • Cardamom powder (Optional)

Boil a cup of water.

To the boiling water add a tsp of coffee powder and two tsp of palm jaggery powder.

Mix the coffee powder and palm jaggery well.

Let it boil with bubbles. Add a pinch of cardamom powder or not.

Stain the mixture and enjoy the drink.

3. Sukku coffee-10 calories

Sukku is dry ginger that helps reduce blood sugar levels and improves insulin response. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory property prevents diabetic complications.

If you are under blood thinning medications. It is better to consult a doctor before taking ginger supplements as they may cause bleeding.

Sukku coffee recipe

The making of sukku coffee is similar to karupatti coffee. The extra ingredient is sukku(dry ginger/ginger powder).

  • Boil a cup of water
  • To the boiling water add a tsp of coffee powder, a tsp of dry ginger powder, or dry ginger(sukku) of an inch length.
  • Add one and a half tsp of palm jaggery powder or tsp of table sugar of your choice.
  • Let the mixture boil for a minute.
  • Once boiled, stain it and enjoy the coffee.
  • Feel free to add milk to this coffee.

This recipe is modified for diabetic patients. You can add extra sugar based on your preference.

4. Black coffee-4-5 calories

Coffee either with low-fat milk or without milk will be beneficial to diabetics.

If you feel coffee without milk is not a coffee at all. Enjoy that drink with low-fat milk instead of full-fat milk.

What sugar you add to your coffee also matters. (1)

Adding artificial sweeteners (sugar-free) over sugar is an added benefit. (1)

Black coffee recipe

Black coffee is just coffee without milk.

To a cup of boiling water add a tsp of coffee powder and a tsp of palm jaggery or other natural sweeteners.

Let it boil for a minute or two. Stain the delicious booster and enjoy it without disturbance.

5. Herbal teas

You may find it odd to add herbal tea under the topic best coffee for diabetics.

However, tea is next to coffee as the most consumed beverage. So, let’s not neglect tea-consuming persons.

Certain products like Tree turmeric, bitter melon, cinnamon, cocoa, fenugreek, guava, garlic, soybean, and walnut are helpful during diabetes. (2)(3).

Not every herbal product can be consumed as tea. Also, Herbal products could alter how medication works in your body.

It’s better to consult your physician or pharmacist before taking herbal teas regularly.

However, adding a little garlic to rasam and occasional cinnamon tea wouldn’t risk your health.

Coming back to herbal teas, the most consumed herbal tea which is black tea is a good alternative to full-fat milk tea (4)(2)

Consuming black tea over other tea helps in managing diabetes and pre-diabetes especially in reducing the risk of dysglycaemia (fluctuating sugar level i.e. sometimes higher sometimes lower). (5)

References

Liao, S. (2023, May 21). Diabetes and caffeine. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-and-caffeine

Modulation of insulin sensitivity by adenosine. Effects on glucose transport, lipid synthesis, and insulin receptors of the adipocyte. (1982c, November 1). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6759915/#:~:text=Adenosine%20enhanced%20the%20effects%20of%20insulin%20on%20glucose,conversion%20to%20fatty%20acids%20to%20smaller%20insulin%20concentrations.

Wilder, A. (2020, December 10). 5 replacements for your morning coffee. Type2Diabetes.com. https://type2diabetes.com/nutrition/coffee-replacements

Tea and Longevity In Japan. (n.d.). Good Life Tea. https://www.goodlifetea.com/blogs/news/tea-and-longevity-in-japan

Kingsly, S. (2024, August 21). Karupatti Coffee recipe | Palm Jaggery Coffee. Cook With Sharmila. https://happietrio.com/karupatti-coffee-recipe-palm-jaggery/

Ramya. (2023, February 5). 7 Top Benefits of Palm Jaggery | Karupatti (Panai Vellam). Wildturmeric. https://wildturmeric.net/palm-jaggery-benefits/

Kingsly, S. (2024b, August 21). Karupatti Coffee recipe | Palm Jaggery Coffee. Cook With Sharmila. https://happietrio.com/karupatti-coffee-recipe-palm-jaggery/

Watts, M. (2023, October 29). Coffee and diabetes – Benefits of coffee & effect on blood sugar. Diabetes. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/coffee-and-diabetes.html

Ginta, D. (2018, August 20). Can you eat ginger if you have diabetes? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/ginger-and-diabetes#benefits

Ramya. (2021, July 27). Sukku Coffee | Chukku Coffee: Recipe + Health Benefits. Wildturmeric. https://wildturmeric.net/sukku-coffee-recipe/

Ma, L., Hu, Y., Alperet, D. J., Liu, G., Malik, V., Manson, J. E., Rimm, E. B., Hu, F. B., & Sun, Q. (2023). Beverage consumption and mortality among adults with type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study. BMJ, e073406. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-073406

By Santhiya L Vignesh

I am a registered Pharmacist, holding B.Pharm degree with distinction. I write blogs to help people understand health related questions in simple words.

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