When you include the American Institute for Cancer Research in your estate plans, you make a major difference in the fight against cancer.

Corporate Champions who partner with the American Institute for Cancer Research stand at the forefront of the fight against cancer

40 Years of Progress: Transforming Cancer. Saving Lives.

The AICR Lifestyle & Cancer Symposium addresses the most current and consequential issues regarding diet, obesity, physical activity and cancer.

The Annual AICR Research Conference is the most authoritative source for information on diet, obesity, physical activity and cancer.

Cancer Update Program – unifying research on nutrition, physical activity and cancer.

Read real-life accounts of how AICR is changing lives through cancer prevention and survivorship.

We bring a detailed policy framework to our advocacy efforts, and provide lawmakers with the scientific evidence they need to achieve our objectives.

AICR champions research that increases understanding of the relationship between nutrition, lifestyle, and cancer.

Are you ready to make a difference? Join our team and help us advance research, improve cancer education and provide lifesaving resources.

AICR’s resources can help you navigate questions about nutrition and lifestyle, and empower you to advocate for your health.

October 28, 2013 | 2 minute read

Is it true that coffee reduces risk of diabetes? If so, do other sources of caffeine offer the same benefit?

Q:        Is it true that coffee reduces risk of diabetes? If so, do other sources of caffeine offer the same benefit?

A:        Quite a few population studies do now link coffee consumption to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, but that does not necessarily extend to other caffeine sources, especially not to soft drinks. Besides the diabetes link, multiple studies also connect coffee to fewer heart disease deaths and lower deaths from any cause. The consistency of these findings suggests that the link is real. However, observational studies like these don’t prove cause-and-effect. Still, most researchers seem to focus on natural phytochemicals in coffee, such as chlorogenic acid, rather than caffeine, as the more likely source of any protective effect of coffee. These compounds may act by promoting antioxidant activity in the body, reducing inflammation and improving insulin function. If coffee consumption is shown to improve insulin function, thus reducing elevated insulin levels, then we may see it linked with reduced risk of several cancers, too. In fact, the latest report from the American Institute for Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund concludes that coffee (regular and decaf) reduces risk of endometrial cancer, which is one of the cancers linked to insulin resistance. So enjoy your coffee, as long as you have not been advised by your doctor to avoid it for medical reasons. Don’t think of these potential benefits as support for caffeine-containing soft drinks, though. In fact, avoiding regular (sugar-sweetened) soft drink consumption is recommended to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and to support the healthy weight that is so important to reduce risk of cancer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More From the Blog

Close