Coffee

Coffee may taste good and get you going in the morning, but what will it do for your health? A growing body of research shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are:

less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia.

have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes.

Researchers don't ask people to drink or skip coffee for the sake of science. Instead, they ask them about their coffee habits. Studies can't show cause and effect. It's possible that coffee drinkers have other advantages, such as better diets, more exercise, or protective genes.So there isn't solid proof. But there are signs of potential health perks -- and a few cautions.

Let’s get this out of the way first: coffee, and more specifically, caffeine, is not a diuretic. Yes, you may have heard this numerous times on TV, and even in your doctor’s office, but it is a myth, provided that you consume it regularly (you do see a modest increase in urine output when you first start to consume caffeine, but the effect wears off in a few days).

On the other hand, coffee is quite rich in antioxidants, and even contains modest amounts of magnesium and B vitamins, which can become nutritionally relevant for those who drink multiple cups per day. More importantly, while we see evidence of impaired glucose metabolism in the hours after drinking a cup of coffee (it seems to make you less sensitive to insulin, the hormone that helps control blood sugar), numerous studies suggest that coffee consumption could reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.

Disease prevention aside, the effect of all that caffeine on your quality of life might make for some food for thought as you lie in bed, staring at the ceiling after your sixth cup of the day. But good news there, too: Research has shown that you can obtain a similar health benefit from a cup of decaf.