The #1 Best Drink to Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Says Science
According to the Mayo Clinic, type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous, and immune systems. This leads to your pancreas not producing enough insulin—a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells—and cells also responding poorly to insulin, taking in less sugar. Although there is no cure, there are methods to manage your blood sugar, such as weight loss, a healthy diet, and exercising.
If you feel you are at a likelihood of getting the disease, there are also ways to lower your risk of type two diabetes, including eating certain foods and drinks in order to do so. According to a study done by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the best drink to lower type 2 diabetes for both men and women is coffee.
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The research involved a follow-up observation from 74,749 women in the Nurses' Health Study from 1984 through 2008, and 39,059 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study from 1986 through 2008. The participants were free of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer at baseline. Over the time of the study to the follow-up, it was concluded that the consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
The study showed that women's risk of type 2 diabetes was reduced by 8%, while men lowered their risk by 4% when drinking regular coffee, or 7% if they consumed decaffeinated.
The research also suggested that coffee makes for a good replacement for sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas, as long as the coffee doesn't have too much sweetener or creamer. Sodas have added sugars, which increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and can lead to liver disease, heart disease, tooth decay, increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and overall making for a poor nutritional choice. Especially if consumed often.
It's important to note that coffee still has potential risks, mostly due to its high caffeine content (if not decaf), so it's good to drink in moderation. The Mayo Clinic states that it can temporarily raise blood pressure, and women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding need to be cautious about caffeine. Here's How Much Coffee You Can Have in a Day, According to the Mayo Clinic.
