World Diabetes Day: Coffee May Cut Type 2 Diabetes Risk By One Quarter

Why You Should Be Drinking More Coffee

Good news coffee lovers, your favourite drink could be doing your health the world of good.

Drinking up to four cups of coffee per day can cut your risk of diabetes by a quarter, according a new report.

The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee, collated information from a series of studies that highlight the benefits of coffee.

The extensive report was produced to mark World Diabetes Day. More than 380 million people worldwide have diabetes, making it one of the most significant global health problems.

By analysing previous findings, the report concludes that drinking three or four cups of coffee per day may be be better than limiting yourself to two.

On average, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was found to be 25% less in people who drank three or four cups of coffee per day compared to people who drank two or less.

The report also suggests the type of coffee we drink could be important, as filtered coffee exhibited a greater protective effect than boiled coffee, and decaffeinated coffee exhibited a greater protective effect than caffeinated coffee.

Coffee is thought to aid metabolism and inhibit sugar absorption, which may be the reason why it decreases diabetes risk.

It also suppresses our appetite, making us consume less calories and limiting the risk of obesity - which can also lead to diabetes.

A previous study from the Harvard School of Public Health found diabetes risk could be decreased by more than a quarter.

Their study found that people drinking three cups of coffee per day or more were 37% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those consuming one cup or less.

"A number of studies demonstrate a statistically significant association between moderate coffee consumption and reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes," The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee said.

"This has potentially important implications in light of the already high and increasing prevalence of this disease. The mechanisms underlying this effect need further investigation."

Commenting on the latest report, Dr Richard Elliot from the charity Diabetes UK told the MailOnline: "The studies highlighted in this report found people who drank more coffee tended to have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but this does not mean drinking more coffee actively reduces your diabetes risk.

"Other factors not identified by these studies are also likely to be involved, and further research will be needed find out what causes this link.

"What we do know is the best way to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight. We recommend a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat, salt and sugar."

Drink Coffee

8 Surprising Ways To Lower Your Diabetes Risk

Close