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Coffee tied to reduced risk for diabetes

Category: Diabetes

Diabetics may be able to improve their insulin testing results by adding an extra cup of coffee to their daily diets, as a new study printed in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has found that the caffeine in the drink may help to control blood-sugar levels.

Researchers tested the effects of coffee on mice that were genetically engineered to show signs of diabetes. These results were compared to those from a group of diabetic mice that received only water.

The results showed that mice that were fed coffee had lower blood-sugar levels and were more sensitive to insulin, absorbing it quicker.

Lead investigator, Fumihiko Horio, said that coffee also seemed to reduce fatty liver deposits, which is another common risk factor for developing diabetes.

"The present results suggest that coffee consumption may help to prevent type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome," he wrote in the study. "Caffeine is one of the most effective antidiabetic compounds in coffee."

Horio suggested that adding coffee to the diet of individuals who are already at risk for developing the disease may be an effective way to help them avoid many of the symptoms.