Drinking Coffee And Tea May Help Lower The Risk Of Diabetes

The consumption of coffee and tea may lead to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new review of previously recorded data.

Researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, combined the information gathered from 18 studies involving more than 450,000 participants and found that each additional cup of coffee consumed in a day is associated with a 7 percent reduction in the risk of developing diabetes.

In addition, respondents who drank more than three cups of decaffeinated coffee had a 33 percent lower risk of developing the disease when compared to those who drank none. Those who consumed more than three cups of tea had a one-fifth lower risk than those who drank no tea.

While researchers feel that coffee and tea can assist in the prevention of diabetes, they do admit that they are not a replacement for exercise or proper body mass.

"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 percent —not too much—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 percent."