A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota says that drinking coffee, especially decaffeinated coffee, can lessen the chances of contracting adult onset diabetes. The results of the study were published in the journal 'Archives of Internal Medicine.'
Researchers looked at approximately 29,000 post-menopausal women in Iowa and followed their progress for 11 years.
The study determined that women who drank six cups of coffee or more per day had a 22 percent lower chance of developing diabetes as adults than women who drank no coffee. Those who drank six or more cups of decaffeinated coffee had a 33 percent less chance of developing diabetes.
Researchers were not sure exactly why coffee had this effect on diabetes. They believe it could be chemicals found in coffee beans that either have a positive affect on blood sugar levels or protect the pancreas from the affects of stress.
Additional research is expected in this area in the near future.
