One of the best-known positive health benefits of drinking coffee is its impact on preventing diabetes. There is a large, large swath of evidence now accumulating to this effect.
Many large population studies show that drinking coffee, caffeinated or decaffeinated, is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Here are some very interesting statistics to ponder for those who love their coffee and perhaps for those who feel it is unhealthy:
— More than one cup a day reduced risk by 13%; two to three cups by 42%; and four or more by 47%
— Three or more cups a day proven to reduce risk by 42%-50%
— Three to six cups a day proven to reduce risk by 25%; seven or more cups by 39%
— A worldwide study with nearly 460,000 people found that three or more cups of coffee a day reduced risk by 21%; five or more by 35%; and seven or more by 49%
— Four or more cups a day proven to reduce risk by 30%
— Fewer than six cups a day for women proven to reduce risk by 29%
— Six cups a day for men proven to reduce risk by 54%
— Six or more cups a day proven to reduce risk by 22%
— Seven or more cups a day proven to reduce risk by 35%-50%
— Ten or more cups a day proven to reduce risk by 55%
The numbers vary because they’re taken from many different studies. While it seems that an exact percentage of reduced risk for type 2 diabetes has yet to be nailed down, there’s an obvious benefit.
One interesting study showed that men who drank boiled coffee were three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who drank filtered coffee.
How does drinking coffee lower the risk of type 2 diabetes? No one has the answer to this important question. However, there is clear cut evidence that coffee drinking (i.e. more than four cups a day) is associated with higher (20% or more) blood levels of “adiponectin,” as compared to those who drank fewer than four cups a day. Adiponectin is a hormone released by fatty tissue. It is involved in many aspects of energy creation: it increases insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Its levels are reduced in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, coffee drinking has been linked with less inflammation in the body as well as greater insulin sensitivity.