People with diabetes may help prevent themselves from mental degeneration by drinking caffeine, researchers suggested yesterday.
The proposal has come from laboratory studies conducted in Portugal and reported in the journal PLoS ONE.
The researchers say heavy use of caffeine may help people with diabetes control levels of blood sugar and prevent weight gain.
It also seemed to prevent memory loss.
The study involved laboratory mice given the equivalent of eight cups of coffee a day.
The researchers say they have identified specific chemical reactions in the brain affected by caffeine. These involved a molecule known as A2AR.
Researcher Rodrigo Cunha, of the University of Coimbra in Portugal, said eventually scientists might design drugs based on caffeine to help treat diabetes and prevent memory loss.
He said: "The dose of caffeine shown to be effective is just too excessive.
"All we can take from here is that a moderate consumption of caffeine should afford a moderate benefit, but still a benefit. Such experimental design is common in pre-clinical studies: in order to highlight a clear benefit, one dramatises the tested doses. But it’s an important first step."
* Meanwhile a second study yesterday warned that "wolfing" food increases the risk of developing diabetes.
The study, from Lithuania, involved studying some 234 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and comparing them with 468 healthy people.
Researchers revealed their findings at the joint International Congress of Endocrinology and European Congress of Endocrinology in Florence, Italy. They say that fast eaters face a two and a half times increased risk of developing the disease.
Researcher Dr Lina Radzeviciene said: “The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing globally and becoming a world pandemic. It’s important to identify modifiable risk factors that may help people reduce their chances of developing the disease.”
* Another study reported at the conference shows how losing weight can prevent or "cure" diabetes. Researchers from Finland and Sweden say a reduction of five body mass index units – roughly equivalent to two stone or 28 pounds – could make a "dramatic" difference.
The findings come from a study of more than 4,000 people.
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