Coffee may reduce Type 2 diabetes risk

Heavy coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than people who do not drink the beverage, according to new research.

A study has revealed that coffee contains two compounds that block human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), which causes Type 2 diabetes.

This explains why previous studies have found that every cup of coffee brings a seven per cent decrease in diabetes risk.

hIAPP is normally produced by the same cells that make insulin.

An unknown trigger prompts the protein to fold into sharp fibres that poke holes in pancreatic cells, killing them.

However, the cause of this still remains somewhat of a mystery to scientists.

University of Wisconsin professor Martin Zanni explained that this is because "people have been looking at the fibres, but they should be looking at their formation".

"Somehow that mechanism is causing holes [in pancreas cells], which cause disease."

hIAPP has also been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

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