Ask A Healer Diabetes Education Series

Diabetes and Coffee: Are you a coffee lover? I am.In fact, I consider coffee one of the major food groups.

Mostly, I read bad news about coffee consumption but a recent report actually had some good news about diabetes and coffee:

Coffee may have benefits for those at risk of type 2 diabetes!

According to reports in the American Journal of Epidemiology, drinking 4 cups of java a day may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes but there are other factors about coffee to consider so they study stops short of recommending that level of consumption.

Also, decaffeinated coffee is the preferred type to realize these benefits so that wouldn't help me because I definitely drink coffee for the caffeine.

It is believed that another ingredient in coffee, besides the caffeine, may be responsible for coffee's ability to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes.

I was surprised to learn that coffee has magnesium. This is being explored as a possible reason coffee may help reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes. I do know magnesium is a very important nutrient for the heart and the smooth muscles of the body.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, June 26,2006 issue

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Health Care Disclaimer:If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, please check with your doctor before increasing your coffee intake. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant and may have other effects that your doctor may need to weight and consider before approving coffee consumption in your case.