The following two studies are in no way definitive in regards to coffee consumption and risk for diabetes. But they do add fuel to the notion that drinking coffee can be beneficial - at least when it comes to fending off a diagnosis of diabetes.- The first appeared in the International Journal of Obesity last May (2005). It found that drinking caffeinated coffee or tea decreased the risk for type 2 diabetes, while decaffeinated versions had little effect. It should be noted that the decrease in risk applied only to those who also lost weight during the study.
The study included over 7000 participants of the follow-up to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES). - The second appeared in this month's issue of Diabetes Care, a few pages beyond the study just posted about whole grains.
It also found that drinking caffeinated coffee reduced the risk for type 2 diabetes, by 13% for one cup/day to 47% for four or more cups. However, unlike the first study it found benefit for decaffeinated coffee also.
The study included over 88,000 women who participated in the Nurses Health Study II.
For the May study:
Coffee, Tea and Diabetes: The Role of Weight Loss and Caffeine
ADA's brief on the May study:
Coffee, Tea, and Diabetes
For the Diabetes Care study:
Coffee, Caffeine, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes Care news summary:
Coffee May Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
