Chronic coffee consumption and diabetogenic risk: data from the PAMELA study

The present study was designed to investigate a controversial issue, namely whether and to what extent chronic coffee consumption is associated with an increased diabetogenic risk.

We examined data collected cross-sectionally and prospectively in 1158 healthy subjects belonging to the general population of the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni (PAMELA) study. Results collected at the cross-sectional examination performed at baseline show fasting serum glucose (89.4 ± 12.6 vs 89.9 ± 20.9 mg/dl, means ± SD, PNS) and incidence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG, 8.1%vs 5.5%, PNS) superimposable in coffee consumers (≥2-3 cups of coffee per day) and non-consumers. This was the case also when incidence of diabetes mellitus and use of antidiabetic drug treatment were examined. Furthermore, data collected at the 10-years follow-up examination show that the risk of new IFG and new diabetes mellitus was similar in coffee consumers and non-consumers.

The results of the present PAMELA study suggest that in our general population chronic consumption of coffee has a neutral long-term impact on glucose metabolism.