Lunchtime coffee cuts diabetes risk--study

Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil established that drinking a cup of coffee only at lunchtime is helpful in reducing type 2 diabetes risks, as opposed to having it at any other point of time.

“Over a dozen studies have linked coffee drinking to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes--the type closely linked to obesity,” stated the researchers.

Nonetheless, they added, “The mechanism behind the relationship hasn’t been established and no studies have looked at whether the timing of coffee drinking influences this effect.”

Lead researcher Dr. Daniela S. Sartorelli of the university said, “Our findings strongly suggest that only coffee taken with lunch may reduce diabetes risk.”

69,532 French women studied
The research team studied 69,532 French women, aged 41 to 72 and registered in a European nutrition study cohort.

The subjects were followed for about 11 years to arrive at compelling, long-standing conclusions.

The type of coffee consumed by the subjects and the consumption timings were also taken into consideration.

Results of the study
It was found that, of the total number of subjects, 1,415 developed type 2 diabetes during the study period.

Subjects consuming a minimum of three cups coffee each day were found to have 27 percent lesser risk of falling prey to diabetes.

When coffee consumption timings were recorded, it was furthermore established that having a cup of coffee during lunch made the females 33 percent lesser prone to diabetes.

Therefore, the study established that people having either decaf or caffeinated coffee, with or without sugar, at lunch had one-third lesser odds of developing type 2 diabetes compared to non coffee-drinkers.

The study also learnt that the antioxidant properties in the coffee due to presence of magnesium and chlorogenic acid results in the defensive action against diabetes.

But the positive effects were seen more with black coffee in contrast to coffee with milk.

“Lunchtime coffee benefits could have something to do with timing, or they might be related to the types of food that people eat at lunch,” Sartorelli stated.

However, researchers also cautioned that the number of subjects drinking coffee with milk during lunch was inconsequential; therefore, the implication of the results are vague and need additional research.

The study appears in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.