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Coffee consumption and risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Eduardo Salazar-Martinez1, Walter C Willett, Alberto Ascherio
1Harvard School of Public Health, Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|January 7, 2004
Summary
Long-term coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This inverse association was observed in both men and women, regardless of caffeine content.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Metabolic Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Short-term studies indicate caffeine acutely impairs glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
- Understanding the long-term impact of caffeinated beverages on diabetes risk is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term association between coffee and caffeinated beverage consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- To analyze consumption patterns and their correlation with diabetes development in a large cohort.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study design was employed, utilizing data from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals' Follow-up Study.
- Over 125,000 participants (men and women) without pre-existing diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease were followed for up to 18 years.
- Coffee consumption was assessed biennially using validated questionnaires, with adjustments for various risk factors.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was found between coffee intake and type 2 diabetes risk in both genders.
- Men consuming 4-5 cups of coffee daily showed a 29% reduced risk, while those drinking 6+ cups had a 54% reduced risk.
- Women also exhibited a reduced risk with higher coffee consumption, and total caffeine intake from all sources was associated with lower diabetes incidence.
Conclusions:
- Long-term coffee consumption demonstrates a statistically significant association with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- These findings suggest coffee may play a protective role in diabetes prevention.
- Further research into the specific mechanisms underlying this association is warranted.
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