Diabetes risk reduced by midday coffee, study finds
26 March 2010
More evidence has emerged to support the preventive health benefits of drinking coffee.
A French study of 69,532 women has found those who regularly consumed 3 or more cups of coffee per day had a 27 per cent reduced risk of developing diabetes over a 14-year period (Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 91: 1002-12).
Surprisingly, the effect was most pronounced for caffeine consumption at lunchtime, with intake at dinner or other meals adding little to risk prevention. The findings were similar for regular and decaffeinated coffee and regardless of whether it was filtered or black.
The authors suggested the lignin and chlorogenic acid content in coffee might have antioxidant properties and lead to improved insulin sensitivity. However, they said rigorous clinical intervention trials were needed before drawing definitive conclusions on the benefits of coffee.
Last Reviewed: 26 March 2010
- 1. Sartorelli DS, Fagherazzi G, Balkau B, et al. Differential effects of coffee on the risk of type 2 diabetes according to meal consumption in a French cohort of women: the E3N/EPIC cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 91(4): 1002-1012. Abstract available at: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/4/1002
