Drinking coffee comes with a range of health benefits, a new study has revealed, giving caffeine junkies a valid reason to enjoy a guilt-free cup.
According to the USA Today, researchers conducted a review of more than 200 previous studies on the subject and discovered a common theme – drinking coffee was linked to numerous health benefits that included a lower risk of mortality, reduction in cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes type 2, and even depression and dementia.
There have been consistently divisive conclusions when it comes to the link between coffee drinking and health, with some arguing that consumption posed health risks while others touted the benefits.
In light of this, researchers at the University of Southampton in the U.K. decided to take a closer look at the various studies conducted over the years in an effort to put the argument to rest once and for all.
“Coffee consumption is more often associated with benefit than harm for a range of health outcomes across multiple measures of exposure, including high versus low, any versus none, and one extra cup a day,” researchers said in the study that was published on Wednesday in The British Medical Journal.
“We carried out this umbrella review to bring this existing evidence together and draw conclusions for the overall effects of coffee consumption on health.”
The final conclusion?
People who drink three to four cups of coffee a day could benefit from the beverage.
“I think now we can be reasonably reassured that overall, coffee drinking is a safe habit,” said Dr. Eliseo Guallar, professor of epidemiology and medicine at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, per Time.
Lead researcher Robin Poole said the findings were reassuring although he recommended coffee drinkers exercise moderation when consuming the beverage.