Caffeine and PCOS

[Ohdeer]

Can’t beleve I’ve only just thought to ask this andpologies if it’s in an obvious thread somewhere else but should I be drinking decaf coffee? I love coffee and have had no problem including it in my sway but with PCOS we’re usually advised to limit caffeine. Should I switch? Tia!

[atomic sagebrush]

No, do not limit caffeine. We do not know if it's coffee itself or something in the caffeine or both combined and thus for anyone who can stand the caffeine, I generally recommend caff coffee just in case it needs to be caff

I think we talked about this before but the "caffeine is bad for PCOS" idea is based on sketchy data - they tested people only immediately after drinking caffeine and found it raised their blood sugar, but subsequent studies found that it was brief and actually IMPROVES insulin response over the day and over the course of time. This is why coffee prevents Type 2 diabetes.

Secondly, people who drink a lot of coffee often have less healthy lifestyles overall and for PCOS (as you already know since you know more about PCOS than I do I'm sure) a person who is heavyset, does not exercise, eating a lot of carbs and junk and then throws coffee/alcohol onto that will be less able to handle the coffee/alcohol. You are already eating a much better diet than 80% of what we think of as "PCOSers" and so things that are blanket rec's for PCOSers are going to be directed at that 80% who are also not eating right or exercising. So for that group, it ~may~ have some benefit to confer for them to take a pass on coffee/alcohol but for anyone swaying pink, already eating the alternate diet and hopefully exercising (not to mention myoinositol or metformin) you are fine to include coffee and alcohol in your diet.

[Ohdeer]

Great news! And that makes total sense to me. yes I’m doing all those things. Well, except exercise cos I just can’t fit it in with work etc. Having said that I walk to work so am doing at least 40mins walking most days. But that’s the best I can do. I really wish I could include exercise properly but never mind!

Also, to add to the info about PCOSers already living healthily diet-wise etc I find that the coffee and alcohol are such treats that they are what makes the diet totally sustainable

[atomic sagebrush]

Moderate exercise is all you need to do for your PCOS. While I always love to see swayers do more like 60, my above statement about exercise was meant in terms of controlling PCOS and not for swaying - someone who doesn't exercise, eats a lot of carbs, etc and then throws coffee on top of that may have trouble with PCOS whereas someone who eats good diet and does mod. exercise (that 40 min walking most days def counts) is not going to have any trouble with coffee (if it even does anything negative for PCOS, which I seriously doubt it does.) Just explaining why they warn PCOSers off coffee but I am telling u it's ok to include.