More than a ‘pick-me-up’

Coffee may be the drink of choice for many in the morning and throughout the day, but studies suggest the dark brown liquor also has potential health benefits, including the ability to boost sports performance and even lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Experts at a recent round table held by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee claimed coffee could help boost endurance during sports by more than five minutes.

They also claimed it could improve short- and long-term high-intensity performance and caffeine had been shown to reduce muscle pain during endurance exercise, ease muscle soreness after strength exercise and assist in the recovery process.

Meanwhile, a study published in the journal Diabetologia claimed increasing coffee consumption by more than one cup a day over four years lowered the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 11% in the subsequent four years.