Coffee Drinking Linked to Lower Body Fat and Diabetes Risk

A recent study suggests that caffeine in coffee and tea may help reduce body fat and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers used a genetic method called Mendelian randomization to examine the impact of blood levels of caffeine on body fat and on the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease outcomes. The study found that people who were genetically predisposed to have higher levels of caffeine in their blood were more likely to have a lower body mass index (BMI) and body fat, and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Experts caution that consuming too much caffeine can also have negative effects, such as anxiety, insomnia, and jitteriness. While the results of the study suggest that caffeine may be beneficial for reducing type 2 diabetes risk, more research is needed to understand the specific role it plays. Until then, experts recommend focusing on regular physical activity and healthy eating, as these are known to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.