Coffee has been touted to have many health benefits just this year through many health studies. A new study has suggested drinking three to five cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of clogged arteries and heart attacks. Published in the journal, Heart, researchers analyzed almost 26,000 people and measured their calcium levels in the coronary arteries, seeking any correlation between coffee consumption habits. 

 Many experts state that the effect of coffee consumption on cardiovascular health has remained controversial. This was shown after a recent analysis of 36 studies that showed moderate coffee consumption was linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and other research has made associations with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Researchers led by the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul, Korean Republic, analyzed participants attending a regular health screening, including food frequency questionnaires and CT scanning to determine coronary artery calcium. The participants had an average age of 41 and no signs of heart disease.

 Coffee consumption was categorized into the following groups:

·       No coffee consumed

·       Less than one cup a day

·       1-3 cups a day

·       3-5 cups a day

·       Five or more cups a day.

 What they found was the prevalence of detectable coronary artery calcium was 13.4%. The average coffee consumption was 1.8 cups a day. Researchers observed the following calcium ratios for each group:

  ·       Less than one cup a day: 0.77

·       1-3 cups a day: 0.66

·       3-5 cups a day: 0.59

·       Five or more cups a day: 0.81.

 Researchers concluded that these findings add to the growing evidence that shows coffee consumption might help decrease the risk of heart disease, in particular the claims of coffee's positive affect on the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

 COFFEE AND CANCER

 Again some of the ingredients like chlorogenic acid and antioxidants are anti-inflammatory agents, which reduce inflammation. This is the leading factor in the progression of most cancers.  

 Notable studies:

 January 2015: National Cancer Institute published a study showing that people who drank four cups of caffeinated coffee a day had a 20% lower risk of melanoma than non-coffee drinkers.

 February 2015: AACR journal found that women who drink four cups a day have a reduced risk of endometrial cancer.

 Late March 2015 U.K. researchers released an analysis of 34 studies conducted around the world and concluded that coffee consumption—even just one cup a day—reduces the risk of liver cancer.

 Scientists still cannot determine what ingredient in coffee stunts tumor growth or reacts with cancer cells. But all these studies are leading us to the root connection.

 THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF COFFEE

There's been a number of reviews around studies that have cited the benefits of various aspects of drinking coffee. Most studies recognize a "cup of coffee" being an 8 ounce serving and when we talk about coffee, we mean black coffee, not with milk, sugar, syrup and other additives. Across the board of most studies, 3-4 cups per day for most everyone is where the peak benefit can be traced to.  Pregnant women and those who suffer from acid reflux and other issues should stay away.

 Black coffee has reported the following benefits:

·       Reduce risk of most all types of cardiovascular diseases

·       Reduce risk of stroke

·       Reduced risk of diabetes

·       Reduced overall cancer risk

·       Reduce the risk of all liver diseases (liver cancer, cirrhosis etc.)

·       Lower risk of Parkinson’s disease

·       Reduce risk of cognitive decline

·       Potential protective effect against Alzheimer’s

 For years, myths like coffee stunts your growth were touted among other, tleading many to believe coffee was not a positive drink of choice. With these new findings, there is no longer a need to view coffee as something we need to cut back on. More research has been done around this morning favorite and has shown potential benefits than almost any other beverage consumed.