Coffee is becoming a health drink. But then, we knew that. Science is just catching up.

More than 4 cups of coffee daily, and 3 cups in other Harvard studies of 88000 women, dramatically reduced the risk of type II diabetes. Six cups daily reduced the risk by 22 percent.

Is it iron absorption?

The polyphenols in coffee block iron absorption. Coffee drinkers have lower iron levels. People with diabetes have higher iron levels.

Is it the filter? It is for cholesterol.

Unfiltered coffee (French Press, espresso, boiled coffee) contains cafestol, which elevates LDL. Actually 5 cups a day for 4 weeks raises total cholesterol by six percent.

*Drink filtered coffee to lower cholesterol, especially LDL (lousy) cholesterol.

Is it the caffeine? Not for Parkinson’s.

Ten or more cups per day was associated with an 84 per cent reduction in the risk of developing Parkinson’s. Over 22 years, 6,710 men and women aged between 50 and 79 were studied, and overweight people benefited most.

Is it the caffeine?

It may be for memory protection.
Women 65 and older followed for 4 years who drank more than 3 cups of caffeinated coffee or tea a day had 33 percent reduced risk of decline in verbal retrieval

The downside.

Elevated blood pressure. Probably.

Coffee does increase the risk of antihypertensive drug treatment (but not if more than 8 cups or less than 4 ounces daily).

And insomnia, if mistimed.
Who knew a cup of joe could be so powerful?