We’re always hearing about the dangers of consuming too much coffee but according to new research four ounces of our favourite bean per day could help reduce the incident rate of diabetes.

Research carried out at the University of St. Paul in Brazil followed 70,000 people aged between 41 and 72 years old over the last twenty years comparing the incident rate of diabetes with the amount of coffee they consumed.

Results showed that the incident rate of type 2 diabetes decreases by 34 per cent for women who drank coffee after lunch. The data all came from women but researchers stated the results would probably be the same for men.

Data from the study showed that 1,425 people developed type 2 diabetes during the two decades and 1,051 of those did not drink four ounces of coffee after lunch or at any other time. The remaining 374 people who developed the condition drank at least four ounces of coffee after lunch.

Researchers involved with the study believe that coffee can help prevent type 2 diabetes due to the way it slows down absorption of iron which then delays the onset of diabetes.

Other studies into coffee’s effects on diabetes have discovered that it improves insulin sensitivity and glucose intake as well as preventing secretion of pancreatic beta cells which causes insulin oxidation.

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