For Those With IGT, Coffee Cuts Diabetes Risk

The consumption of caffeinated coffee appears to reduce the risk of diabetes among people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), according to new research.

JOHN E. KELLY/JUPITER IMAGES

Researchers conducted a prospective study of 910 adults without diabetes who were ≤50 years of age at baseline, 1984–1987. Participants were surveyed about coffee consumption and other lifestyle characteristics and followed for an average of 8 years. Nearly three-quarters of the participants were current coffee drinkers, consuming an average 2.8 cups of brew a day.

Analysis of data on which participants developed diabetes showed that past and current coffee drinkers had 38% the risk of people who never drank coffee. Among the 317 participants with IGT, coffee consumption was linked to a 69% reduction in diabetes risk.

“This study confirms a striking protective effect of caffeinated coffee against incident diabetes,” the researchers conclude.