This week's issue of Archives of Internal Medicine includes another report on the association between coffee consumption and risk for type 2 diabetes.Among 28,812 postmenopausal women who took part in the Iowa Women's' Health Study (1986-1997), those with the highest coffee intake, especially decaffeinated coffee, had the lowest risk for diabetes.
Considerations
When lifestyle and dietary factors such as alcohol intake, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, physical activity, caloric intake, total fat intake, and cereal fiber intake were accounted for, women who drank 1 to 3 cups of coffee, either caffeinated or decaffeinated, saw a reduction in diabetes risk of at most 12%. The greatest reductions in risk, up to 32% after adjustments, were seen in women who drank 6 or more cups of decaffeinated coffee daily.
The beneficial association between coffee consumption and diabetes risk in this study can technically be applied only to populations that share this study group's characteristics: postmenopausal women who live in Iowa. Generalizations to premenopausal women, men, or those living in other areas may need confirmation through additional study.
Implications
"Although the first line of prevention for diabetes is exercise and diet, in light of the popularity of coffee consumption and high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus in older adults, these findings may carry high public health significance."
- Coffee Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
For our previous posts on coffee and diabetes:
Coffee and Diabetes
Coffee's Many Components
For this study:
Coffee Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
A News Summary:
Risks and Remedies: Diabetes Prevention in a Cuppa Joe?
