Coffee and tea reduce risk of type 2 diabetes

This paper published in the journal Diabetologia may contradict some assumptions. The investigators set out to "examine the association of consumption of coffee and tea, separately and in total, with risk of type 2 diabetes and which factors mediate these relations." Their findings may be a surprise to some: "Total daily consumption of at least three cups of coffee and/or tea reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by approximately 42%." They go on to conclude: "Drinking coffee or tea is associated with a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes, which cannot be explained by magnesium, potassium, caffeine or blood pressure effects. Total consumption of at least three cups of coffee or tea per day may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes." How can this be? There are compounds in both beverages that have anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects. As you know, chronic inflammation plays an important role in type 2 diabetes. HOWEVER: bear in mind that caffeine can aggravate Th2-type autoimmune conditions, and it may be poorly tolerated by those with sympathetic nervous system hyperarousal.