Drinking three to four cups of coffee per day may decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers from Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, have identified two compounds in coffee that they believe contribute to this health benefit and say that it could lead to the development of new medications to prevent and treat the disease.
The researchers investigated the effects of a number of compounds, including cafestol and caffeic acid, both of which increased insulin secretion when glucose was added. They also found that cafestol increased glucose uptake in muscle cells, matching the levels of a currently prescribed antidiabetic drug.
In their report, which was published in the Journal of Natural Products in October, the researchers, led by Soren Gregersen from the Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, noted that because coffee filters eliminate much of the cafestol in drip coffee, it was likely that other compounds contribute to the health benefits.
Try the TriYas programme
Start getting in shape for TriYas on February 26. Haddins Fitness in Abu Dhabi has a programme to help people get across the finish line of their first sprint distance triathlon (750m swim, 22km bike ride, 5km run).
The programme starts on January 3, ends with the triathlon on February 26 and includes a schedule of cycling, running, swimming, interval training and cross training.
Morning and evening sessions will be held daily at various locations across Abu Dhabi. It is suitable for all fitness and ability levels, however a basic level of swimming is required. The programme costs Dh1,600 for non-members and Dh800 for members.
For more information and to register, contact 02 403 4233, or visit www.haddins.com.
Tips to shake off eating as a coping strategy
Emotional eating is a common cause of weight gain. Farah Chabib, clinical dietitian at Medi Weight Loss, offers tips to tackle it.
• Avoid “trigger foods” – the foods you crave when you’re upset – by not keeping them in the house.
• Plan your counter-attack by listing the foods that trigger emotions and thinking of ways to avoid these situations, such as going for a walk.
• Plan meals and snacks. Preparation and planning minimises the likelihood that you’ll turn to unhealthy snacks when you’re hungry.
• Make your refrigerator a healthy one by filling it with nutritious foods, such as fruit, vegetables, yogurt and milk.
• Reward yourself when you eat in a healthy way. This will increase the likelihood that you’ll stick to your new eating plan.
• Get more sleep. Tiredness prompts a release of hormones that make you hungry and can lead to increased irritability and cravings. Make sure you get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
