Drinking Coffee May Cut Risk of Diabetes

Holy cow! Drinking more coffee could lead to an "immediate" reduction in diabetes risk, according to a study by Professor of Nutrition Frank Hu from the Harvard School of Public Health. Writing in the journal Diabetologia, Dr. Hu says "The findings of the current study... demonstrate that change in coffee consumption is associated with both immediate and long-term diabetes risk. Scientists said upping intake by more than one cup a day was linked to an 11% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes over the next four years. 

However, cutting consumption by at least one cup had the opposite effect, raising diabetes risk by 17%. The research team found people drinking three cups or more were 37% less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those consuming one cup or less. The study, involving almost 124,000 men and women, adds to previous evidence linking coffee with protection from diabetes. The benefit was only found with caffeinated coffee - possibly because few participants drank decaf. "Changes in coffee consumption habits appear to affect diabetes risk in a relatively short amount of time."