Overview

• Scientific research indicates that moderate coffee consumption* is associated with a statistically significant reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes^2-4

• The association has been studied in a number of different populations and the wealth of evidence suggests that a moderate intake of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes^3,4,6-9‍

• Currently, a plausible explanation for this association is still lacking. There is no clear consensus on a potential mechanism, although some research suggests coffee components including chlorogenic acids and trigonelline may be key^10-12‍

• Observations of beneficial effects of coffee consumption on some markers of subclinical inflammation are also interesting^13,14‍

• The association between coffee/caffeine consumption and diabetes appears to be specific to type 2 diabetes only

*A moderate coffee consumption is typically defined as 3-5 cups per day, based on the European Food Safety Authority’s Scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine⁵.

‍The content in this overview was last edited in March 2022. Papers in the research section and further resources are periodically updated.