Daily Coffee Drinking Could Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Risk

This new study impacts Latinos, one of the largest groups to drink coffee daily. (Getty)

Looking for an excuse to have that extra cup of café? Here’s one.

The Atlantic is reporting that a new study, which will be published this December in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, states that coffee could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers insist that based on over 20 years of follow-ups, they found “coffee consumption, regardless of caffeine content, was associated with an 8 percent decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. In men was reduction was 4 percent for regular coffee and 7 percent for decaf.”

The findings were based on data from two studies following 80,000 women and over 40,000 men from the 1980s through 2008.

“There have been many metabolic studies that have shown that caffeine, in the short term, increases your blood glucose levels and increases insulin resistance,” said Shilpa Bhupathiraju, a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition and the study’s lead author, to the publication. “Those findings really didn’t translate into an increased risk for diabetes long-term.”

What does it mean to Latinos? Plenty.

According to the NCA Hispanic-American Market Report, 74 percent of Hispanic-Americans drink coffee daily, which is 12 points ahead of non-Hispanics. In addition, the National Coffee Association announced earlier this year that 57 percent of Hispanic-Americans age 18-24 drink coffee daily, in comparison to 48 percent non-Hispanics. In short, Latinos love their beans.

The new findings could lead to more awareness on some of the positive aspects java can bring to those seeking more than a boost.

“Coffee is one of the leading sources of antioxidants in the U.S. diet,” explains dietitian Sharon Palmer to Fox News Latino. “While it used to be cautioned against, now science indicates that this plant-based beverage may hold many benefits, making it a healthy beverage—especially if you use it without added sugar or fat—and it can replace less healthy beverages in your diet.”

Despite positive results, this isn’t the first time coffee has been shown to promote healthy benefits. The Atlantic Monthly also points out that researchers from several studies this year have found caffeinated coffee could alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain, reduce depression among women, reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, as well as fight against colorectal and breast cancers, among others. One study from the New England Journal of Medicine even reported those who drank coffee lived longer.

But too much of a good thing could be bad.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine points out several negative factors caused by caffeine. Too much consumption could leave to rapid heart rate and anxiety. Plus, stopping caffeine abruptly may lead to withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and vomiting. Large amounts of caffeine could also interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to osteoporosis. In addition, too much sugar and other sweeteners could pack on the pounds.

Therefore, should one give Joe, or this case Jose, a rest? Not if you have it in moderation.

Now you can drink to that.