Drinking Coffee Reduces Diabetes Chances

---

Joint association of coffee consumption and other factors in the risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study in Finland, by G. Hu and colleagues. Int J Obes 30:1742–1749, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Some studies—but not all that have looked at the subject—suggest that drinking coffee reduces the chance that a person will develop diabetes. Other things are linked to diabetes, including physical activity, obesity and weight gain, and alcohol consumption. But little is known about the effect of these factors in combination.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to examine the link between coffee drinking and other factors in developing diabetes.

Who was studied?

The study included 10,118 men and 11,197 women in Finland who were 35 to 74 years old, none of whom had known stroke, heart disease, or diabetes.

How was the study done?

Participants completed a detailed survey about their consumption of coffee, tea, alcohol, and other beverages; their physical activity; and other habits. Each participant also had a physical exam, including measuring their height and weight in order to calculate body mass index (BMI, a method of comparing weight according to height), and had blood drawn for lab tests. Participants were followed up for an average of 13.4 years.

What did the researchers find?

Generally, the more coffee a person drank each day, the less likely he or she was to develop diabetes. People who drank three to six cups of coffee were 23% less likely to develop diabetes than somebody who consumed two or less cups a day. Those who had seven or more cups of coffee per day were 34% less likely to develop diabetes than drinkers of two or less cups per day. The trend held true for people in all levels of physical activity, BMI, and whether or not they consumed alcohol.

What were the limitations of the study?

Consumption of beverages and levels of physical activity are based on what participants remembered and reported, and may not be accurate. Also, there could be other factors related to developing diabetes that were not included.

What are the implications of the study?

Regardless of a person’s health status or habits, drinking coffee is linked to a lower chance of developing diabetes.