DALLAS, TEXAS - A cup of coffee, it's the way Americans wake up. Half of the population drinks three to four cups a day, including Henry Miner who enjoys a cup of joe at the Murray Street Coffee Shop in Dallas.

Scientists analyzed information from 18 studies comprising more than a half million people, they looked for a link between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes. They found that those who drank three to four cups a day had a 25% lower risk of developing the disease than people who drank zero and two cups a day.

Henry says that's good news because his family has a history of diabetes.

"Well, you know I was going to stop drinking so many cups, I think I'll continue. Maybe I'll have an extra one." Says Henry.

Dr. Priscilla Hollander is an endocrinologist at Baylor-Dallas. She says the study intriguing.

"We are in a war against obesity and type 2 diabetes and anything we can do to help look at preventing more diabetes will of the up-most importance." Says. Dr. Hollander.

Nobody knows that more than Tim Arduino who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes five years ago and, by the way, never drank coffee. Now he's wondering if his young kids should start.

"If there is something about that, they could know, learn to like coffee, it will help you out you know. But I can't see giving my seven year old coffee right now." Says Tim.

The study also showed that decaffeinated coffee and regular tea also lowered the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Karlie Garston's drinks three cups a day at the Opening Bell Coffee Shop. Her family also has a history of diabetes. She says tomorrow morning she'll have a cup of coffee with a spoonful of hope.

"Yea, perhaps. So I won't feel guilty drinking all that caffeine in the morning." Says Karlie.

Doctors aren't ready to start telling at risk patients to drink more coffee, they say there needs to be more studies to find out why even decaffeinated coffee reduced the risk of diabetes.

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