Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic condition that involves high blood sugar levels that can damage various organs of the body.
Diabetes can cause various complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage. The good news is that you can lower your risk of developing diabetes by adopting a healthy lifestyle and making some changes to your daily habits. In this article, we will discuss the daily habit that can lower your risk of diabetes by 14%.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body uses glucose (sugar). Glucose is an essential source of energy for the body’s cells, but too much glucose in the bloodstream can lead to various health problems.
The body produces insulin, a hormone that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells to be used for energy. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells are resistant to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Risk Factors for Diabetes
Several risk factors can increase your chances of developing diabetes, including:.
- Being overweight or obese
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Lack of physical activity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Smoking
- Poor diet
The Daily Habit That Can Lower Your Risk of Diabetes by 14%
The daily habit that can lower your risk of diabetes by 14% is drinking coffee.
According to a study published in the American Diabetes Association’s journal Diabetes Care, people who drink coffee regularly have a lower risk of diabetes than those who do not.
The study followed more than 120,000 participants for up to 20 years and found that drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of diabetes.
The participants who drank one cup of coffee per day had a 4% lower risk of developing diabetes than those who did not drink coffee. Those who drank two to three cups per day had a 14% lower risk of developing diabetes.
Coffee contains antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid and quinides, that may help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. These compounds may also help improve glucose metabolism and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Other Benefits of Drinking Coffee
Aside from lowering the risk of diabetes, drinking coffee has other potential health benefits, including:.
- Reducing the risk of liver disease
- Reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, such as liver, colon, and breast cancer
- Reducing the risk of stroke
- Improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline
How Much Coffee is Safe to Drink?
While coffee may have potential health benefits, it is important to consume it in moderation.
While there is no specific recommendation for how much coffee is safe to drink, most experts agree that up to four cups of coffee per day is safe for most people. However, some people may be more sensitive to caffeine and may need to limit their intake.
Caffeine can also cause some side effects, such as nervousness, insomnia, and increased heart rate. It is important to avoid drinking coffee late in the day or evening, as it can interfere with sleep for some people.
Conclusion
Drinking coffee is one daily habit that can lower your risk of developing diabetes by 14%. Coffee contains antioxidants that can help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and improve glucose metabolism.
However, it is important to consume coffee in moderation and to avoid drinking it late in the day as it can interfere with sleep for some people.
Other healthy habits that can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes include maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular physical activity.
If you have a family history of diabetes or other risk factors, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about ways to lower your risk.