Coffee for Type 2 Diabetes

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Daniel J Lamport, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Reading

Disqualifiers: Insulin-dependent, Excessive coffee, Specialty coffee

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if drinking specialty coffee can improve brain function and blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Participants will be divided into two groups: one drinking high CGA (a beneficial compound) specialty coffee, and the other drinking regular coffee. Individuals with type 2 diabetes for at least three years who consume four or fewer cups of coffee daily may qualify. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance diabetes management.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that drinking coffee, including specialty coffee high in chlorogenic acid (CGA), is generally safe. Studies have found that long-term coffee consumption links to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications. This is promising for those with diabetes, as coffee's natural ingredients might help control blood sugar levels.

Recent studies also indicate that most caffeinated coffees, including specialty ones, contain very low levels of contaminants. These levels fall well below the safety limits set by the European Union, suggesting that specialty coffee is safe to drink. Importantly, no major negative effects have been reported from regular coffee consumption, whether conventional or specialty.

Overall, the evidence suggests that specialty coffee is safe and well-tolerated, making it a promising option for exploration in clinical trials. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatment?

Researchers are excited about using specialty coffee for Type 2 Diabetes because it contains high levels of chlorogenic acid (CGA), a compound that might improve blood sugar control. Unlike standard diabetes treatments like metformin or insulin, which directly manage blood sugar levels, this coffee could offer a natural and dietary approach to benefit patients. The idea is that CGA-rich coffee might help regulate glucose metabolism and reduce insulin resistance, offering a potentially easier and more enjoyable option for those managing their condition.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for type 2 diabetes?

Research has shown that regularly drinking coffee links to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Some studies suggest that consuming 3-5 cups daily can reduce this risk by 20-30%. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a compound in coffee, plays a key role. CGA may help control blood sugar and improve brain function. In this trial, participants will receive either conventional coffee or CGA-rich specialty coffee. Specialty coffee, with higher CGA content, might offer additional benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. This study aims to determine whether it can enhance brain function and help manage blood sugar levels in those with T2D. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Daniel Lamport, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Reading

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people aged 55-70 with Type 2 Diabetes who have been diagnosed for at least 3 years. They should currently drink coffee, but no more than 4 cups a day, and not be dependent on insulin or already drinking specialty coffee.

Inclusion Criteria

Are you between 30-70 years old?

Do you drink between 1-4 cups of coffee most days of the week?

Have you been formally diagnosed with Type II Diabetes for a year or more?

Exclusion Criteria

You have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

You have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes

Do you drink 5 cups of coffee or more daily?

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Run-in

Participants consume conventional coffee for 4 weeks and undergo initial cognitive assessments

4 weeks

Online assessments at the beginning and end

Treatment

Participants are assigned to either high CGA specialty coffee or conventional coffee group for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Online cognitive assessments at the beginning and end

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Conventional Coffee
• Specialty Coffee

Trial Overview The study tests if 'specialty coffee' high in chlorogenic acid (CGA) improves brain function and blood sugar control in Type 2 Diabetics compared to regular coffee. Participants will be split into two groups: one drinks specialty coffee, the other conventional, over an eight-week period after a four-week phase of only conventional coffee.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CGA-rich coffee (Speciality coffee) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be provided with a single origin, CGA-rich specialty coffee as graded by the Specialty Coffee Association of America's Q-grading system to brew and consume

Group II: Conventional coffee Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be provided with a conventional, low CGA coffee to brew and consume which contains less CGA than the experimental arm.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Reading

Lead Sponsor

Trials

168

Recruited

18,800+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3766985/

Roles of Chlorogenic Acid on Regulating Glucose and ... It was demonstrated that CGA treatment resulted in beneficial effects on blood glucose response, with alterations seen in GIP concentrations. In view of the ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187140212400136X

Impact of coffee and its bioactive compounds on the risks ... Available evidence indicates that long-term consumption of coffee is associated with decreased risk of T2D and its complications as well as decreased body ...

3. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20250629/Coffeee28099s-hidden-compounds-could-help-fight-type-2-diabetes.aspx

Coffee's hidden compounds could help fight type 2 diabetes Study findings​​ Epidemiological evidence suggests that habitual coffee drinking (3-5 cups daily) results in a 20-30% lower risk of future T2DM ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6544578/

Effects of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism Studies suggest that drinking 3–4 cups of coffee per day is associated with an approximately 25% lower risk of developing T2DM compared to consuming none or ...

5. cambridge.org cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/impact-of-coffeederived-chlorogenic-acid-on-cognition-a-systematic-review-and-metaanalysis/BE52C64A4601DA032993B697B6F26F2F

Impact of coffee-derived chlorogenic acid on cognition Daily supplementation with a blend containing CGA was found to reduce basal blood glucose levels in adults with pre-existing type 2 diabetes ( ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8066601/

Coffee and Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Meta-analyses revealed a relative risk of type 2 diabetes for each cup-per-day increase in coffee consumption of 7%–9% for caffeinated coffee and 6 % for ...

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2306-5710/5/1/11

Consumption of Chlorogenic Acids through Coffee and ... Epidemiological studies suggest that coffee consumption prevents or delays the onset of type 2 diabetes [171,172]. Studies concluded that daily consumption of 3 ...

8. cnn.com cnn.com/2025/08/11/health/coffee-toxins-study-wellness

Caffeinated coffees are mostly free of toxins, with a few ... “While some contaminants were present, most were found at minimal levels and well below the European Union's safety limits per 6-ounce serving.