Drinking coffee may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes

By David Liu and editing by Rachel Stockton

A new study published in the Sept 2009 issue of Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome suggests that drinking caffeine laden coffee over a period of time may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Piemtel GD and colleagues from Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil reviewed eighteen cohort studies; they found that at least 14 of said studies revealed a substantially lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with frequent coffee intake. 

Moderate intake of coffee, equal to no more than 4 cups a day of 150 ml or 400 mg of caffeine per day, was associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Higher intake was linked to an even greater reduction in diabetes risk. 

However, the researchers emphasized that more population-based surveys are needed to clarify the effect of decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee intake on diabetes risk. 

An estimated 20 million Americans live with type 2 diabetes.  Unlike Type 1 diabetes, patients with Type 2 can produce insulin; however, the ability of the hormone to adequately control blood sugar is significantly impaired.