There is some good news for coffee drinkers. The Irish Coffee Council has released research which shows that drinking three or four cups a day can reduce the risk of type two diabetes by up to 25%.

Lunchtime is the best time to drink coffee for this particular benefit.

And for those concerned about consuming too much caffeine, the research shows decaffeinated coffee has a similar effect on type two diabetes.

However, a recent study by the Irish Coffee Council shows that 35% of Irish coffee drinkers believe that coffee has a bad effect on diabetes - which the council says shows the perception of coffee is often inaccurate.

The council also says the report also showed that increasing coffee consumption by one cup per day over a four year period resulted in an 11% lower risk of type two diabetes in the subsequent four years.

While those who decreased coffee intake by one cup per day had a 17% higher risk of type two diabetes, it says.

Conor Minogue from the Irish Coffee Council said: "This study provides further evidence that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of type two diabetes, which will be welcomed news to the people at risk of developing type two diabetes in Ireland."

"The research shows that moderate coffee consumption (typically 3-5 cups per day) fits well with a healthy balanced diet and can be enjoyed as part of active lifestyle."

But the council does recommend that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake from all sources to 200mg per day.

More than 380 million people worldwide have diabetes, with an economic burden of €440bn - making it one of the most significant global health problems.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that deaths caused by diabetes will double between 2005 and 2030. The total number of people living with diabetes in Ireland now is estimated to be 225,840.