Acute caffeine ingestion reduces insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Study answer

What this study found

Acute caffeine ingestion reduced insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects. Across trials, the pooled insulin sensitivity index was lower with caffeine versus placebo or control (SMD -2.06, 95% CI -2.67 to -1.44; I2 = 49%; P for heterogeneity = 0.07). The authors concluded that short-term caffeine exposure may shift glycemic homeostasis toward hyperglycemia and that longer-term trials are needed to understand chronic effects and coffee's potential anti-diabetic role.

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials involving 70 healthy adults without diabetes.

Intervention

This systematic review evaluated acute caffeine exposure, most often as single oral doses of 4.45 to 6 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg, with one intravenous dose of 3 mg/kg and one caffeinated coffee condition.

Key limitation

The evidence base was small, with only 7 short-term trials and 70 participants total.

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Original abstract