Research from the Iowa Women's Health Study suggests that decaffeinated coffee may reduce the risk of diabetes. The results of the 11-year study of 28,812 postmenopausal women revealed that the participants who drank six or more cups of decaffeinated coffee per day had a 22% lower risk of contracting diabetes. Unfortunately for those of us who like full-strength caffeine, the research didn't show the same lowered risk.

This isn't the first study to suggest that coffee may help to protect us from diabetes. The question is why coffee reduces the risk of diabetes. One possibility is that decaffeinated coffee is a great source of magnesium. Magnesium is needed for carbohydrate metabolism and the participants who drank the most decaffeinated coffee in Iowa Women’s Health Study also had the highest magnesium intake. Coffee also contains many anti-oxidants which may also play a part in diabetes prevention.

So, if you enjoy your morning cup of coffee, consider switching to decaff and drink up.

Poll: Tell me how you like your coffee.

• I like my coffee black.
• I like cream and sugar.
• I like cream, but no sugar.
• I just add some sugar, no cream.
• I use artificial sweetener and cream.
• I use just an artificial sweetener.
• I add soy milk.
• I drink iced coffee.
• I don't drink coffee.
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