by Jade Skyye

Created on: August 17, 2009

Coffee and diabetes...two seemingly different and unrelated items, together show promise in the world of nutrition and health. A large portion of the population in today's society takes part in a daily ritual of coffee consumption. For those same individuals it is nearly impossible to imagine making it throughout the day without several cups of coffee. Without their minimal dose of caffeine, some people just don't function normally. So, when reports suggest that regular coffee consumption has a multitude of benefits, it is definitely something to look into further.

Fairly recently, published findings show that individuals who have at some time during their life (either past or present) drank caffeinated coffee are sixty percent less at-risk for developing Type II diabetes compared to individuals who have never consumed coffee or who consume very small amounts of coffee. Several related studies from all over the world have shown similar results indicating that coffee may actually be good for the body. Not so fast...it is still unknown which component(s) within coffee leads to the favorable results. What works for one person may not always work for another person and could actually have an opposite and/or negative effect.

For some people coffee may have multiple benefits including reduced risks of inflammation, various cancers, heart disease, liver diseases, and even Alzheimer's disease. For other people, coffee can worsen conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, acid reflux, headaches and the caffeine in coffee leads to dependence. Since each and every person's body makeup differs, there is no single solution to solve the dilemma. Case-by-case review and follow-up by a medical professional is the only way to determine if one's benefits outweigh the risks.

Ultimately, whether or not an individual has reason to love or to hate coffee, is likely predetermined by genetic code. One important point to bring up, is that there is a common genetic mutation that slows caffeine breakdown in the body which leads to increased risks of heart disease in some people. In addition, the ingredients added to coffee should also be monitored. Adding sugar and cream or milk adds calories and fat to the formula. The best approach in any situation is to eat healthy, exercise regularly and get a good night's sleep for optimal mind and body performance. The key is to stick to the 'in-moderation' concept. Keep in mind some general advice: too much of anything does more harm than good.

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