Scientists discover why coffee helps prevent diabetes

Joe Elvin

18/01/2012 10:48:29

Scientists have finally managed to discover why coffee can help prevent Type 2 diabetes.

It has long been rumoured that a cup of joe can lower the risk of the condition - but researchers in China have claimed that his can now be confirmed as true.

They have reportedly proved that three compounds found in coffee (caffeine, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid) are responsible for inhibiting the formation of toxic hIAPP amyloids. hIAPP is a protein implicated in causing Type 2 diabetes.

The discovery is arguably the strongest indication yet of the health benefits of investing in a coffee machine.

Previous studies have suggested that those who drink four cups of coffee a day have a 50 per cent lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  

Speaking to The Mail Online, the study’s lead researcher Kun Huang explained that decaffeinated coffee might provide an even stronger deterrent.

He said: “In decaffeinated coffee, the percentage contents of caffeic acid and chlorgenic acid are even higher where the level of caffeine is greatly reduced. We expect that decaffeinated coffee has at least equal or even higher beneficial effect to the regular caffeinated types.”

Caffeic acid was found to have the strongest beneficial effect of the three compounds when it comes to inhibiting hIAPP proteins, whilst caffeine was the least effective.