Extended Study Links Coffee And Reduced Type 2 Diabetes Risk

A new study from The Atlantic proves you really do need that extra cup of coffee. (As if we needed any encouragement!) The report, which is being published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in December, shows a link between coffee consumption and reduced risk for type 2 diabetes. In women, regardless of caffeine content, there was an 8 percent reduction in risk. In men, caffeine content did affect results; there was shown to be a 4 percent decrease for regular coffee drinkers while decaf coffee drinkers experienced a 7 percent decrease. Data for the study was gathered over a 20 year period between the 1980s and 2008, where 80,000 women and over 40,000 men were studies for their responses to the drink.

So, what should you take from the findings, other than rationalization for a second cup of morning joe? It seems there's no major health benefit regarding diabetes granted to either regular or decaf drinkers; both had almost equal responses to diabetes risk. The only catch? Though caffeine doesn't detract from the healthful benefits of coffee, everything else you put into your coffee might. Many sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, meaning all that cream and sugar (especially in the form of those not-so-healthy holiday drinks) are really counteracting the healthy agents in your coffee. Guess we'll take our coffee black!