Actually coffee does have benefits which come from its antioxidants.
Here is the reprint of the article from nhnutrition.Com
is drinking coffee a healthy habit?
By: peinie p. Tsai pharmd
recently the media has been brewing over coffee as a new potential health food. Along with an extensive list of possible benefits, the most notable claim is that coffee may prevent type 2 diabetes! However, before you rush out and treat yourself to a venti espresso macchiato with the excuse that you're doing something healthy, there are some things you should consider.
First the news:
a very large study of over 120,000 men and women, who were followed for almost twenty years, indicates that there is a significantly lower incidence of type 2 diabetes (also known as, adult-onset diabetes) in coffee-drinkers versus non-drinkers. 1 similar conclusions were found in two other studies published in lancet and the journal of internal medicine. 2,3 all studies found a dose relationship between coffee and the frequency of diabetes. This means that people who drink more coffee have a decreased probability of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who drink less coffee. 3 however, drinking decaffeinated coffee does not seem to have any effect on type 2 diabetes incidence. Other caffeine containing beverages, such as cola, were not studied.
What this means:
the relationship concluded by multiple studies indicates that high coffee consumption, of six or more cups of coffee per day, appears to be beneficial in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Why this might be:
it is unclear whether long-term coffee drinking somehow increases sugar metabolism in the body, thereby decreasing risk of type 2 diabetes. It is possible that coffee beans contain antioxidants or compounds that alter insulin sensitivity. Another thought is that caffeine increases metabolism and suppresses hunger. Excessive coffee drinkers are less likely to be overweight or over-eaters and therefore are usually not obese, which is itself a predominant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
Things to remember:
there are no studies to explain the mechanism behind the current findings of an inverse relationship between coffee intake and type 2 diabetes incidence. If you are currently a heavy coffee-drinker, then there is some promise that this habit may be beneficial. However, currently there is not enough understanding or specific evidence to support drinking coffee as a means of type 2 diabetes prevention or for people to otherwise increase their java intake.
Excessive coffee should be avoided in pregnant women, and patients with heart disease, high cholesterol, or osteoporosis. Furthermore, adding excessive amounts of cream or sugar to your morning cup can potentially turn drinking coffee into an unhealthy habit.
References:
slazar-martinez e. Et al.. Coffee consumption and risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann intern med i-17.
Isogawa a, et al. Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lancet. 2003 feb 22;361(9358):703-4.
Rosengren a. Et al. Coffee and incidence of diabetes in swedish women: a prospective 18-year follow-up study. J intern med. 2004 jan;255(1):89-95.