Coffee can cut diabetes

Coffee drinkers may be less likely to develop diabetes in later life.

A study of 126,000 Americans found those who regularly drank coffee or other caffeinated drinks were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The disease affects about a million British people.

The study, carried out by a team led by Harvard School of Public Health, looked at men and women over an 18-year period. It found people with large consumptions - more than seven cups a day - were 50 per cent less likely to suffer from diabetes than those drinking two cups or less.

Caffeine can sharpen the brain and improve co-ordination. It can also stop headaches and increase circulation. However, it has also been shown to contribute to anxiety, sleeping difficulties, dehydration and high blood pressure.

Research team leader Eduardo Salazar-Martinez said: "Further studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of caffeine."

Simon O'Neill, of Diabetes UK, said: "This is very interesting and in the future could have a big effect on the way we treat diabetes."