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Grab a Latte, It Could Be Good for You

Coffee, caffeine may have health benefits

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 18, 2009 11:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – Get this: Coffee's not bad for you, and it could have health benefits. New studies do a better job of separating the effects of coffee from those of its formerly frequent partner, cigarettes, the Los Angeles Times reports. And when you look beyond caffeine, "coffee is a complex beverage with hundreds, if not thousands, of bioactive ingredients," a Canadian researcher notes. Among the health benefits:

  • Diabetes: Studies suggest the chlorogenic acid in coffee cuts the risk for Type 2 diabetes.

  • Heart disease and stroke: Coffee doesn't raise the risk and could slightly reduce your chance of a stroke.
  • Cirrhosis: Either coffee or its caffeine seems to protect the liver.
  • Parkinson's disease: Caffeine cuts the risk, especially in men.
  • Athletic performance: Caffeine boosts performance by making your muscles work better.

Rich Westerfield serves his cappuccinos at a barista competition in Cranberry, Pa., on Feb. 6, 2009.
Rich Westerfield serves his cappuccinos at a barista competition in Cranberry, Pa., on Feb. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
A customer holds a coffee in front of a Starbucks shop at the company's corporate headquarters in Seattle on Jan. 26, 2009.
A customer holds a coffee in front of a Starbucks shop at the company's corporate headquarters in Seattle on Jan. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, file)
Viennese coffee is prepared at the Austrian-style Cafe Sabarsky in New Yorkon March 4, 2009.
Viennese coffee is prepared at the Austrian-style Cafe Sabarsky in New Yorkon March 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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