Diabetes continues to be a major health problem, affecting an estimated 422 million people globally. This chronic condition can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, and even blindness.
However, recent studies have suggested that drinking coffee and tea may lower the risk of death among diabetes patients.
Coffee Consumption and Death Risk among Diabetes Patients
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2018 found that drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of death among diabetes patients.
The study analyzed data from over 3,000 adults with diabetes who had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers found that individuals who drank at least two cups of coffee per day had a 63% lower risk of death compared to those who did not consume coffee.
Another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2014 also found that drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of death among individuals with diabetes.
The study followed over 120,000 individuals for over 20 years and found that those who drank at least three cups of coffee per day had a 50% lower risk of death compared to those who consumed no coffee.
Tea Consumption and Death Risk among Diabetes Patients
Similar to coffee, tea consumption has also been associated with a lower risk of death among diabetes patients.
A study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology in 2017 analyzed data from over 4,000 adults with diabetes and found that those who drank tea regularly had a 42% lower risk of death compared to those who did not consume tea.
Another study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2018 also found that tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of death among individuals with diabetes.
The study followed more than 4,000 individuals with diabetes for 11 years and found that those who drank tea regularly had a 49% lower risk of death compared to those who did not consume tea.
Mechanism behind the association
There are several potential mechanisms that could explain the association between coffee and tea consumption and a lower risk of death among diabetes patients.
One theory is that coffee and tea contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Another theory is that caffeine, which is present in both coffee and tea, may lower insulin resistance and improve glucose metabolism.
Additionally, coffee and tea consumption has been linked to a lower risk of several chronic conditions that can occur in diabetes patients, such as cardiovascular disease.
For example, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2012 found that drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of heart disease, while a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2013 found that drinking tea was associated with a lower risk of stroke.
Conclusion
The evidence suggests that drinking coffee and tea may lower the risk of death among diabetes patients.
While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism behind this association, it is clear that moderate consumption of coffee and tea can be a part of a healthy lifestyle for those with diabetes.