Substances in coffee appear to counter the onset of the debilitating disease and scientists hope whatever it is can be pinpointed to be used in the prevention and possible cure of diabetes.

Researchers tested 941 men and 1,511 women in their 50s who had not been diagnosed with diabetes.

If the blood sugar count of the patient was 126 milligrams or over for every one-tenth of a liter, they were deemed to have fully blown diabetes. Cases of 110 milligrams or more were deemed to be borderline diabetics.

Of the male patients, those who drank less than one cup of coffee per week made up 19 percent of borderline diabetics, but those who drank at least five cups accounted for only 9.7 percent of the borderline cases.

It was a similar story among women, where infrequent coffee drinkers made up 6.9 percent of the borderline diabetics as opposed to just 3.5 percent who regularly imbibed in a Java.

Coffee drinkers were permitted to use milk and sugar with their beverage during the test, but the results did not closely analyze the effects these had on blood sugar levels.

Various types of tea also failed to show any effect on blood sugar levels.

Researchers feel that caffeine is unlikely to combat diabetes, but other substances in coffee such as magnesium or chlorogenic acids, the substances that give the beverage its tangy taste, could prove handy in fighting the disease.

Source: Mainichi Shimbun.

March News Article Index