Consuming two cups of coffee daily could reduce your risk of insulin resistance by 23%, a new study in Korea has found. Insulin resistance is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes and occurs when the body’s cells do not respond normally to insulin.
This can heighten your risk for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. It may also lead to weight gain, fatigue and increased hunger or thirst. A new study published in the Nutrients journal discovered a significant link between the quantity and type of coffee an individual consumes each day and their risk of high insulin resistance. The study tracked more than 7,000 people in Korea aged between 19 and 64.
The research found that consuming two cups of coffee daily offered a 23% lower risk of insulin resistance. Those who consumed more than two cups of coffee per day did not see a significantly greater reduction overall.
In general, black coffee yielded better results than coffee with sugar and cream, as reported by News Medical. Drinking one or more cups of black coffee daily reduced the risk of insulin resistance by up to 26%.
Women, in particular, saw greater benefits, as three or more cups daily could reduce their risk by up to 34%.
Women who drank two or more cups of black coffee could cut their risk by 36%, but researchers noted: “Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to clarify the association between various types of coffee consumption and insulin resistance.”
The link between higher coffee intake and better insulin sensitivity isn’t entirely clear. However, experts suggest it could be related to caffeine’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, potentially playing a role in slowing glucose release and absorption.
The study also revealed intriguing patterns among heavy coffee drinkers. For instance, those consuming over three cups each day tend to be older, married men with greater monthly household incomes.
It was also found that habitual coffee consumers were more likely to consume more alcohol and to have been diagnosed with arterial hypertension. Characteristics such as a higher BMI, reduced physical activity, and less sleep were also reported among this group.