In the article Why Should I Give Up Coffee? we discussed how drinking coffee can have a positive impact on your health.  Now coffee lovers have even more reasons to celebrate.  A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that coffee can cut the risk of dying of heart disease, the number one killer disease in the world.   The study suggests that drinking up to six cups of coffee a day may lower your risk of dying prematurely.

 

Here is what Esther Lopez-Garcia, the lead author of the Harvard School of Public Health report has to say about how coffee can help you live a healthier life:

 

“Our results suggest that long-term, regular coffee consumption has several beneficial health effects.”

 

If results of this study, showing that drinking coffee lowers the risk of heart disease is not enough to get you excited about the health benefits of coffee, take a look at these other studies that show additional benefits:

 

• In 2000 a study conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic showed that coffee consumption is linked to reduced rates of Parkinson’s disease. 
• In 2004 researchers at Harvard reported that regular coffee drinking reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• In 2005, a study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that coffee may prevent the most common type of liver cancer.

These are all reaffirming studies that combined make a strong case for the regular consumption of coffee.  However, one must be careful with the amount of caffeine consumed by drinking coffee.  Excessive caffeine consumption is known for detrimental short-term health effects such as anxiety and insomnia.

 

Despite of the suggested connections between regularly drinking coffee and living longer, it is obvious that coffee alone will not extend your life.  A healthy lifestyle consisting of a well-balanced diet and regular exercise are other essential components of a long and healthy lifestyle.

 

Living a healthy life is one of the most important things you can do in your pursuit of success.  Just the fact that you care enough about your health to make it a priority in your life is in itself a strong indicator that you are likely to be a successful person.  The skills required to prioritize and manage your health, as well as the discipline required to watch what you eat and exercise regularly are the very same skills that will help you be successful in business and in other aspects of your life.

 

Enjoy your cup of java!  To your health and success!