What Happens to Your Blood Sugar When You Drink Coffee
From caffeine to creamers, experts break down how your morning coffee may influence blood sugar levels.
By Cheyenne Buckingham, Published on December 23, 2025
Reviewed by Dietitian, Kelly Plowe, M.S., RD
- Coffee on its own doesn’t typically have a significant impact on your blood sugar levels.
- Adding sweeteners and flavored creamers, among other factors, can increase your blood sugar.
- Cut back on sweeteners, pair coffee with meals and stay active to limit glucose spikes.
Your blood sugar naturally fluctuates throughout the day. “Levels rise after meals for everyone because carbohydrates break down into glucose,” says Kathleen Benson, CSSD, CPT, RDN. In people with insulin resistance or diabetes, these increases may be higher and last longer because the body doesn’t respond to insulin as efficiently or doesn’t produce enough of it, Benson explains.
“For most people, blood sugar levels are lowest in the morning after fasting overnight and rise after meals as your body digests and absorbs carbohydrates,” adds Lauren Manaker, M.S., RDN, LD, CLEC, CPT. Since many of us reach for a cup (or two) of coffee in the morning, you may wonder whether your daily brew is affecting your blood sugar levels at the start of each day. Our experts take a deep dive into how your morning java may affect your blood sugar.
How Coffee Affects Your Blood Sugar
“Coffee on its own typically doesn’t cause a significant rise in blood sugar itself,” Manaker says. It’s the other add-ons, like sugary syrups and certain sweeteners, that can lead to a temporary spike in blood glucose, Manaker notes. “If you’re drinking coffee after a meal, the impact on blood sugar is likely minimal, especially if the meal includes protein and healthy fats.”
Those who are caffeine-sensitive and don’t have diabetes may also see a more dramatic increase in blood sugar compared to others. “Coffee can raise blood sugar for some people because caffeine can trigger hormones that tell the liver to release extra glucose,” Benson says.
“This doesn’t happen to everyone, and the effect depends on how sensitive someone is to caffeine and how much they drink.”
Editor’s Note: The original article has cited sources, see at link below. –DrWeb
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