type 2 diabetes

Overview

• The scientific evidence indicates that moderate coffee consumption is statistically significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This has potentially important implications in light of the already high and increasing prevalence of this disease.
• The association is well-documented in several different populations and shows a consistent dose response, i.e. lower risk at higher consumption levels. Every additional cup of coffee up to 6-8 cups per day (regular or decaffeinated) is associated with a 5-10% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• The statistically significant association, in combination with the consistent dose response relationship, are a strong indication for a true association between moderate coffee consumption and the lower incidence of type 2 diabetes.
• Still lacking is a plausible mechanism to explain this association. Current findings are still controversial, although recent observations of beneficial effects of coffee consumption on some markers of subclinical inflammation are promising.