The low-sugar watermelon is creating a big buzz in the news right now. The watermelon, developed by plant breeders at the US Department of Agriculture, contains less than half the sugar of regular melons. It may fit the bill perfectly for diabetics who crave a generous helping of that luscious summer treat. Brilliantly, beneficial concentrations of vitamin A, potassium and the antioxidant lycopene stay the same in the low-cal version. Don't rush to the local supermarket looking for it though: the seeds have only just become available to melon growers, so mature fruits has not yet hit the market.

The beauty of the low-cal melon is that it's all-natural. Okay, okay. It took some genetic engineering to get there. Still, noshing on a big stack of this watermelon has to be better for you than processed snacks and drinks, with their chemical cocktail ingredients list. Reports in today's news on the possible dangers of diet soda consumption, for example, might get people thinking harder about healthier ways to satisfy their sugar cravings. On the other hand, if you're not afraid of the artificial sweeteners, a sprinkling on the low-sugar melon will enhance the sweetness, sugar-free. Thank you, Mother Nature...and the USDA.

Caffeine intake makes insulin more resistant to changes in blood sugar levels, Canadian researchers report.

The researchers evaluated sugar metabolism in 23 men before and after a three-month exercise program. Before and during the exercise program, the men were given caffeine or a placebo. The subjects included 8 sedentary lean men, 7 obese men with type 2 diabetes, and 8 obese men without diabetes. Before the exercise program, caffeine reduced insulin sensitivity by 33% in the lean and obese men and 37% in the obese men with diabetes compared to placebo. After the exercise program, insulin sensitivity fell 23% after caffeine intake in the lean men, 26% in the obese men, and 36% in the obese diabetic men. Comparison of the two study phases showed that exercise did not improve insulin resistance related to caffeine intake. It seems that caffeine weakens or offsets any of the beneficial effects of exercise or weight loss on insulin resistance. While the clinical implications remain unclear, the findings are a "red flag" for doctors and are particularly important for obese patients and those with diabetes.

Don't go throwing-away your Starbucks gift card - although the effects of caffeine on insulin were duly noted, the fact remains that coffee may cut the risk of diabetes. Although the findings seem to contradict recent reports that coffee intake may cut the risk of diabetes, coffee contains several other substances that may affect sugar metabolism, such as antioxidants, potassium and magnesium. Caffeine without all of the other substances that are found in coffee produces a different result. Like peanut butter and chocolate - peanut butter by itself is a high-fat protein. When you combine it with chocolate you have a melodic mix disdainfully referred to as candy but happily celebrated in the form of a REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups. It's all in the delivery, folks.

British researchers have found that tight glucose control during hospitalization for a stroke may not improve survival.

The study involved 933 patients enrolled within 24 hours of a stroke who had glucose in the range of 6.0 to 17 mmol/l. Participants received saline solution or continuous glucose, potassium, insulin infusions to reduce their blood glucose. Patients were monitored every two hours with glucose adjusted if needed every eight hours. The researchers found that both treatment and placebo groups had improvement in glucose levels. The treatment group had an overall mean 0.57 mmol/l reduction in glucose over 24 hours while glucose levels also fell spontaneously with simple saline hydration. There was also no difference in the secondary outcome of disability. There was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure in the treatment group. A researcher noted, "In the majority of patients, treatment with a simple saline infusion will correct mild to moderate hyperglycemia."

The saline and glucose relationship is similar to the way the noninvasive glucose monitors measure blood sugar (aka Glucowatch)., This relationship between sodium and glucose in the blood moves inverse. When your sugar levels are elevated, your sodium is down. When you force sodium into your blood, your sugar is suppressed. Doctors must proceed with caution in light of this study. When it comes to aggressively lowering glucose, especially after a trauma, it could be more harmful than helpful.