For years many have placed coffee on the dark side of America’s favorite habits. Recent research, however, is stirring up some new results that may lift the clouds from our favorite brew. It could be that coffee is just what the doctor ordered in the fight against type 2 diabetes.

The Good
Researchers from Harvard tracked 126,000 study participants, some for as long as 18 years, and discovered that those who were heavy consumers (six or more cups a day) had reduced their risk of diabetes by 54 percent for men and 30 percent for women.

Coffee (both regular and decaffeinated) has lots of antioxidants like chlorogenic acid (responsible for the coffee flavor) and magnesium. Researchers believe these ingredients may actually improve sensitivity to insulin and may contribute to lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

But this isn’t the first study to sing coffee’s potential praises—other studies show that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Other research indicates at least two cups a day is associated with a 25 percent reduction in the risk of colon cancer and nearly half the risk of gallstones.

The Bad
While coffee may someday become a proven weapon in the fight against type 2 diabetes, the idea that coffee is healthy is going to be a long-brewing debate.

Harvard’s researchers note that while caffeine, the best-known component in regular coffee, is known to raise blood sugar and increase energy expenditure in the short term, its long-term effects are not yet well understood. The findings “are intriguing” but only appear in heavy consumers, notes Frank Hu, lead researcher of the Harvard School of Public Health. People who drank fewer than four cups a day saw their diabetes risk reduced by only 2 to 7 percent.

Additionally, a host of other studies have linked the heavy coffee habit to heart risks, rheumatoid arthritis and mood swings. Many of the chemicals in both decaffeinated and regular coffee can also irritate the stomach lining and cause digestive problems for some consumers.

Your Coffee
Even though the scientific jury is still out on coffee (or its many compounds), people currently living with diabetes can still enjoy their “java jump” by keeping in mind the following considerations:

• Moderation: Consult your physician for the coffee amount safe for you.
• Math: Be sure to account for sweeteners or sugars in your nutrition equation.
• Mix: Stir in artificial creamers and sugars to lower carbs.