If you were told to monitor your blood sugar because you are one of the more than 100 million U.S. adults with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, you may have cut back on cookies, candies, ice cream and sugary sodas. Ditto if you were tired of the extreme energy swings you get on a day when your sweet tooth gets the best of you. That's an excellent start. However, an endocrinologist notes that you may benefit from taking it a step further.
"Blood sugars are not impacted by sweets alone," states Dr. Disha Narang, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and the director of obesity medicine with Endeavor Health. "Most foods and drinks we consume can in some way impact blood sugars...Certain things contain carbs that we don’t even realize, from whole fruits to dairy products."
Gulp. We often add dairy products, such as cow's milk, to our coffee. You may have been willing to go lighter on cakes and cookies (with a slightly sour taste in your mouth), but consider coffee a bridge too far. Coffee may wake you up, help you power through your to-dos, pick you up and out of an afternoon slump and serve as a cherished ritual.
As an endocrinologist, Dr. Narang doesn't say you have to quit coffee to manage blood sugar per se. However, she does have a pick for the best coffee or blood sugar management. Here's her top coffee order for stable blood sugar.
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One 2025 study suggests people who sipped black coffee daily had a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If the data has you feeling a bit bitter—you may need milk and sugar in your coffee—we get it. But Dr. Narang agrees that black coffee is your safest bet for stable blood sugar.
"Specialty coffee drinks can contain upwards of 30-50 grams of carbs, which sometimes is enough carbs that one would eat in a full meal," she says. "In a large latte, we are...looking at multiple sources of added sugars, which will absolutely increase overall blood sugars."
And that's a problem. Added sugars are a type of carb, but naturally occurring carbohydrates (like those found in whole fruits and even milk) can also increase blood sugar.
"Any form of carbohydrate is broken down into glucose in the bloodstream," Dr. Narang explains. "When there is a higher level of glucose in the bloodstream, the pancreas releases insulin to help bring the blood sugar level down by moving the glucose from the blood into cells."
That doesn't mean you can't have carbs—you need them. But balance is critical.
"Overall, higher carbohydrate intake leads to higher blood sugar spikes and increased insulin secretion," she says. "This process can lead to insulin resistance, where someone’s body does not readily respond to insulin’s function as well as it may have before."
Dr. Narang shares that the number of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas can start to decrease. "By the time someone gets diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, over 50% of beta cells—the insulin-producing cells—no longer produce insulin."
As a result, the condition is harder to manage.
Related: The One Food Type Endocrinologists Say Supports Insulin Sensitivity as You Age
Why Black Coffee Is the Best Drink for Blood Sugar Stabilization
One or more sources of sugar are found in any cup of joe besides black coffee. This makes them a recipe for blood sugar swing in the short-term, and they also increase prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes risk if you drink them regularly. So, stick with us and see why black coffee is the sweetest selection for your pancreas.
Black coffee doesn't contain dairy cream or milk. Even ordering a cup of coffee with skim milk will count toward your carb intake. Ditto for creamers (and low-fat or whole milk). "Milk contains lactose, which is a natural sugar," Dr. Narang states. "Whether sugar is natural or not, however, it will still spike one’s blood sugar." For some people, the blood sugar increase from milk in coffee won't be a big deal, but people with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes will want to be particularly mindful.There are no non-dairy creamers (which may not be better). As for non-dairy creamers, she says they may have added oils or sugars. She suggests checking the nutrition information before you add them to your coffee.You'll consume no added sugar. Sugar (which includes flavored syrups, aka "liquid sugar," Dr. Narang says) will probably spike your blood sugar.You'll nix artificial sweeteners. Some artificial sweeteners, like Stevia, aren't known to spike blood sugar, but Dr. Narang says they may affect your gut health and ability to regulate your appetite (which can cause you to load up on sweets later). "As with everything, it’s important to consume in moderation," she advises.You'll sip fewer calories. Without the add-ins, black coffee has around 5 calories per cup. "Calories from sugar-sweetened beverages can absolutely increase blood sugars and insulin resistance, and in turn lead to weight gain, which impacts long-term metabolic and cardiovascular health," Dr. Narang states.Related: This Popular Drink Isn’t as Good for Your Gut Health as You Might Think
"For many patients, caffeine, even from a black coffee, can cause a spike in their blood sugars," Dr. Narang says.
In fact, she has patients who need to take insulin to manage their blood sugar after consuming caffeinated beverages, including energy drinks, specialty coffee beverages and, yes, black coffee. "While some people do not have an effect from black coffee, those who do use various additions may see changes in their blood sugars as a result," she says.
One Nutrients study published in 2020 indicated a possible link between caffeine and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when the body struggles to respond to insulin, prompting the pancreas to produce more of the hormone and making it harder to manage blood sugar.
Related: ‘I’m an Endocrinologist—This Is the Worst Juice for Blood Sugar Spikes’
What To Do if Black Coffee Isn’t Your Thing
If you simply can't stomach black coffee (hey, many of us can't!) Dr. Narang shares that there are other ways to add a little something to your coffee without significantly spiking blood sugar. The keyword is little, though.
"Our taste buds are malleable," she says. "Reducing sugar or flavored syrup gradually may help to reset your taste buds."
She adds that cinnamon can sweeten your cup without the massive sugar rush on your pancreas. Plus, research suggests that consuming a balanced meal that includes protein can help manage blood sugar swings from caffeinated beverages. Members of your care team, such as a primary care doctor or endocrinologist, can share more personalized tips for managing blood sugar. They can also refer you to a registered dietitian.
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Related: Endocrinologists Say This Is the Most Underrated Food for Blood Sugar After 50
Sources:
Diabetes Statistic Report. CDC.Dr. Disha Narang, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and the director of obesity medicine with Endeavor HealthCoffee Consumption, Additive Use, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes—Results from 3 Large Prospective United States Cohort Studies. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.Effects of stevia on glycemic and lipid profile of Type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized controlled trial. AJP.The Effects of Stevia Consumption on Gut Bacteria: Friend or Foe? Microorganisms. Caffeine and Caffeine Metabolites in Relation to Insulin Resistance and Beta Cell Function in U.S. Adults. Nutrients.The Effect of Adding Protein to a Carbohydrate Meal on Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Responses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Acute Controlled Feeding Trials. The Journal of Nutrition.Hence then, the article about i m an endocrinologist and this is the 1 coffee order i recommend for stable blood sugar was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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