Drink Coffee, Slash Your Diabetes Risk?

Do you drink three to four cups of coffee per day? If so, you may be at a reduced risk of developing diabetes, according to a new report by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee.

Diabetes risk and coffee consumption
Compared to drinking one or no cups of coffee per day, drinking three or four cups (what the researchers refer to as moderate consumption), was associated with a 25 percent decreased risk of developing diabetes. However, more than that and there may be an increased risk.

The researchers came up with a few theories about why coffee may reduce diabetes risk. Two include:

1. the “Energy Expenditure Hypothesis,” whereby the coffee’s caffeine stimulates metabolism, increasing energy expenditure
2. the “Carbohydrate Metabolic Hypothesis,” whereby the coffee’s components (not the caffeine) influence the glucose balance

And although the researchers weren’t able to prove a causal effect (that the coffee caused the reduced risk) it’s still reason for coffee lovers to rejoice!

Not so fast!
Time for a disclaimer: just because coffee may help reduce diabetes risk, it doesn’t mean that sugary lattes with syrup and whipped cream are healthy (although I wish it were so). But don’t fear, you can still order a healthier holiday drink with some simple strategies.

And of course, drinking coffee doesn’t replace exercise, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle to ward off chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Other diabetes risk factors include:

• inactivity
• metabolic syndrome
• being older than 45
• high cholesterol, blood pressure, or triglycerides
• family history
• being overweight

Choose ethically
Being a discerning consumer is essential when purchasing coffee. Human rights issues and environmental issues both enter the conversation when it comes to what types of coffee we should be consuming. Our article “A Greener Shade of Coffee” can make the trip to the grocery store a little simpler!

Check out our recent article “Know your Bean” to learn how to become a coffee connoisseur.