Updated summary of the latest science considers coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes In support of World Diabetes Day, the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) today publishes a summary of the latest scientific evidence surrounding coffee consumption and its potential to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
In Europe, approximately 60 million people have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or about 10.3% of men and 9.6% of women aged 25 years and over1. It is estimated that this figure will reach 71 million by 20402. In 2015, the disease caused 627,000 deaths in Europe: about one quarter (26.3%) of which were in people under the age of 601.
The scientific evidence indicates a statistically significant association between moderate coffee consumption and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This has potentially important implications in light of the increasing prevalence of this disease. Moderate coffee consumption is typically defined as 3-5 cups per day, based on the European Food Safety Authority’s review of caffeine safety3.
Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee per day is associated with an approximate 25% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to consuming none or less than 2 cups per day4,5.
Researchers have yet to determine how coffee may help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, it is unlikely that the caffeine in coffee plays a role, as decaffeinated coffee and regular coffee both have a similar effect on diabetes risk. One potential mechanism could be the presence of antioxidant compounds in coffee.
The latest facts and scientific research on coffee and type 2 diabetes can be found in the newly-updated “Type 2 diabetes” topic section of ISIC’s website.
The latest conclusions on coffee and type 2 diabetes suggest the following:
- A 2016 review concluded that there is mounting evidence for a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in those who regularly drink 3-4 cups of coffee per day6.
- A 2014 study concluded that participants who increased coffee intake by more than 1 cup per day over a 4 year period had an 11% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, whilst those who decreased coffee consumption by 1 cup per day had a 17% greater risk of type 2 diabetes7.
- A review published in 2014 suggested a 12% reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes for every additional 2 cups of coffee per day, and a 14% reduction for every 200mg increment of caffeine per day. The review also suggested that the effect was stronger for women than men8.
- A further 2014 review also concluded that the risk of diabetes was reduced by, respectively: 8, 15, 21, 25, 29 and 33% for 1-6 cups of coffee per day9.
- A study published in 2014 suggested that coffee consumption was inversely associated with depressive symptoms amongst a group of patients with type 2 diabetes10, linking back to earlier research suggesting a link between diabetes risk and psychological factors11.
In 2015, ISIC polled 7 countries to understand Europeans’ perceptions of type 2 diabetes. ISIC’s survey revealed that consumer awareness of the associations between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes varies considerably:
- Across the 7 European markets polled, 31% of respondents believed that consuming coffee in moderation plays no part in increasing or decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- 85% of respondents polled were not aware that a number of studies have shown that drinking coffee in moderation may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- 8% of respondents polled across the 7 markets were more likely to increase their consumption of tea than coffee to actively lower their risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
To read ISIC’s diabetes topic update and access a range of professional and media resources on type 2 diabetes, please click here.
