It's no secret that we as Americans are concerned with our health, which is why the popular beverage of coffee is often scrutinized. Yes, coffee is addicting and delicious, but what type of benefits does it provide to your health?

Numerous recent studies have shown that coffee drinkers when compared to those who abstain from coffee are less likely to have Parkinson's disease, type II diabetes, dementia, cancer, strokes, and heart rhythm problems. Overall, it seems that it is good news for coffee drinkers in the fact that your cup of Joe will benefit your health.

However, it is essential to understand that coffee was not proven to prevent these diseases, and the researchers only examined the coffee habits of the individuals. These studies are not clear in the cause and effect of coffee drinking, and it is possible that these specific coffee drinkers had other lifestyle advantages, like exercise, diet, and genetics. There is still research being done on coffee regularly, and there isn't complete proof yet that coffee prevents these diseases entirely.

The average American drinks over 400 cups of coffee in one year alone, according to the statistics of the World Resources Institute in 2009. If you are anywhere near this average, it is essential to further understand the details of how coffee impacts your health. Luckily, coffee's relationship to reducing the risk of type II diabetes is quite solid with research from more than 15 different studies to back it up. The majority of research has shown that coffee provides health benefits by preventing diabetes, and there is evidence that this benefit can also be found from drinking decaf. In the most recent study surrounding type II diabetes, Australian researchers examined 18 different studies of more than 458,000 people. They revealed a 7% reduced risk of developing type II diabetes for every additional cup of Joe consumed per day. There were similar benefits for those who drank decaf coffee and tea.

Coffee potentially prevents diabetes because of the antioxidants that neutralize free radical damage in the body. Coffee is a very strong source of antioxidants, and it also contains chromium and magnesium, which help the body regulate the blood sugar. Type II diabetes causes the loss of ability to regulate the blood sugar through using insulin, while coffee continues to provide these benefits to the body. Still, it seems that coffee has an impact on reducing the risk of type II diabetes unrelated to its caffeine content because the study participants also saw benefits when drinking decaf coffee.

If you want to protect your health and keep drinking coffee, enjoy your caffeinated coffee moderately. Coffee is a valuable source of antioxidants, yet too much caffeine can cause anxiety, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Moderation is necessary to help you continue to enjoy your coffee and protect your health well into the future!