Habitual coffee drinking and the chance of prediabetes remission: findings from a population with low coffee consumption

We aimed to investigate the association between coffee drinking and total caffeine intakes with the chance of prediabetes (Pre-DM) regression and progression over 9-years of follow-up.

This cohort study included 334 Pre-DM individuals (mean age of 49.4 ± 12.8 years and 51.5% men) who participated in the third phase of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2006–2008). A validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline assessed habitual coffee consumption. All measurements were done at baseline and all subsequent examinations with 3-year follow-up intervals. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of Pre-DM regression to normal glycemia or progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D) in coffee drinkers/non-drinkers were estimated using multinomial logistic regression analysis.

During the study follow-up 39.8% of the study participants were progressed to T2D and 39.8% returned to normal glycemia. Coffee consumption nearly doubled the chance of returning to normal (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.03–4.97). Total caffeine intake was not related to Pre-DM progression and regression. Compared to non-drinkers, coffee drinkers had significantly lower 2-hour serum glucose concentrations over time (152, 95% CI = 144–159 vs. 162, 95% CI = 155–169 mg/dL, P = 0.05).

Habitual coffee drinking may increase the chance of returning to normal glycemia in Pre-DM subjects.