Thumbs Up For Coffee and Green Tea

In a recent study  of 6727 men and 10 686 women aged between 40 to 65 years, who were asked to complete a 5 year follow-up questionnaire on coffee and tea consumption, caffeine consumption was shown to lower the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes. Participants had no history of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer at the baseline lifestyle survey.

The study results found that during the 5 year follow-up, there were 444 self-reported new cases of diabetes (231 men and 213 women). Consumption of green tea and coffee was inversely associated with diabetes risk after adjustments were made for potential risk factors.

Multi-variable odds ratios for diabetes among participants who frequently drank green tea and coffee ( 6 cups of green tea per day and 3 cups of coffee per day) were 0.67 and 0.58 respectively, compared with those who drank less than 1 cup per week. No association was found between consumption of black or oolong teas and the risk for diabetes. Total caffeine intake from these beverages was associated with a 33% risk reduction for diabetes. These inverse associations were more pronounced in women and in overweight men.

The researchers concluded that the consumption of green tea, coffee and total caffeine was associated with a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Referenced
Hiroyasu I et al, The Relationship between Green Tea and Total Caffeine Intake and Risk for Self-Reported Type 2 Diabetes among Japanese Adults. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2006 Apr; 144 (8): 554-562