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The consumption of caffeinated green tea (Camellia sinensis) and coffee (Caffea spp.) may help prevent type-2 diabetes, according to a recent article in Annals of Internal Medicine.1 The article is based upon data from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC), which analyzed survey results from 6,727 men and 10,686 women, between the ages of 40 and 65, from 25 communities across Japan.
The study participants completed a baseline lifestyle survey, then a follow-up questionnaire 5 years later concerning their coffee and tea consumption, as well as any personal experiences with diabetes. None of the survey participants had been diagnosed with diabetes prior to the initial survey. For the 5-year follow-up, 231 men and 213 women reported new cases of diabetes.
Results of the survey indicate that the regular consumption of green tea and coffee was inversely associated with diabetes risk. Those participants who drank 6 or more cups of green tea a day were found to be 33% less likely to develop type-2 diabetes.2 Similarly, those who drank 3 or more cups of coffee daily were 42% less likely to develop the condition. Total caffeine intake from those 2 beverages was associated with a 33% reduction in diabetes risk. The strongest associations between caffeine intake and lowered diabetes risk were noticed among women and overweight men. Black teas and oolong teas, meanwhile, did not appear to lower a person’s risk of diabetes. No data was collected regarding participants’ consumption of caffeinated sodas or other dietary sources of caffeine.
-Courtney Cavaliere
References
1. Iso H, Date C, Wakai K, Fukui M, Tamakoshi A. The relationship between green tea and total caffeine intake and risk for self-reported type 2 diabetes among Japanese adults. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2006;144:554-562.
2. Caffeinated green tea and coffee may combat diabetes. Food e-News page. RSSL Science with Service Web site. Available at: http://www.rssl.com/OurServices/FoodENews/NewsLetter.aspx?ENewsletterID=153#4. Accessed May 30, 2006.
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