It is well documented that changes in lifestyle, coupled with junk food consumption and sedentary habits, have contributed to diabetes becoming an increasingly common issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that over 422 million people are living with diabetes and more than 15 lakh of them pass away from its long-term effects. In order to reduce the likelihood of developing this condition, it is crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Surprisingly, children are also affected by diabetes in many instances.

A new study suggests coffee might prevent Type 2 diabetes in pregnant women, which is often termed gestational diabetes.

According to a study by the National University of Singapore, “Habitual coffee consumption and subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals with a history of gestational diabetes – a prospective study.”

Researchers at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), under the direction of Professor Zhang, director of the Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health (GloW), and another professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, conducted the research.

The study included 4,500 white females with a history of gestational diabetes dating back over 25 years. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as GloW’s team of experts monitored the women.

The research revealed that drinking caffeinated coffee instead of sugary drinks decreased the risk of diabetes by 17% when compared to consuming coffee with added sweetness. Professor Zhang declared that having two to five cups of unsweetened coffee could be an effective way to prevent gestational diabetes. Ultimately, he concluded that this could be part of a healthy lifestyle for a certain group of people.