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Study: Consuming coffee and tea can lessen diabetes risk

Category: Diabetes

According to new clinical diabetes testing, drinking coffee and tea can help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and may lead to less diabetes testing for overweight or at-risk patients.

Scientists at the University of Sydney collected research from 18 separate studies conducted between 1966 and 2009 and found that each additional cup of coffee that was consumed in a day led to a 7 percent decrease in the risk of diabetes.

Respondents who drank 4 or more cups of coffee had a 25 percent lower risk of developing the disease compared to people who drank none at all. Meanwhile, patients who consumed four or more cups of tea had a one-fifth lower risk of developing diabetes.

While authors of the study were pleased with the results, they do state that the consumption of coffee and tea does not take the place of exercise and a proper diet.

"Coffee helps, but other things are even more important," said diabetes specialist Lars Ryden. "Those who are overweight should reduce their bodyweight by 5-10%...and include physical activity such as a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day. Then those people who are at risk of developing diabetes will reduce this risk by 40-50%," he added.