Coffee Compounds Curtail Diabetes Risk

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a metabolic hormone (incretin) secreted by the gut, that stimulates glucose-induced insulin secretion from beta cells.  Employing a mouse model, Japanese researchers reveal that coffee polyphenols modulate GLP-1 to beneficially influence blood glucose homeostasis.  Specifically, coffee polyphenol extract decreased post-meal hyperglycemia.  The study authors write that: “dietary coffee polyphenols augment gut-derived active GLP-1 secretion via the cAMP-dependent pathway, which may contribute to the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes associated with daily coffee consumption.”