Coffee drinkers may live longer
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The reading
There is potentially good news for coffee lovers. Drinking three or more cups of coffee a day may help people live longer. This is according to a 16-year-long study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer and Imperial College London. Researchers looked at health data on over half a million people over the age of 35 from 10 European countries. They suggest that drinking more coffee is linked to a lower risk of death, particularly from heart diseases. This study showed that people who had a daily minimum of three cups of coffee were 8-18% less likely to die from health problems than non-coffee drinkers. Researchers said coffee drinkers had better liver function and a stronger immune system.
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Not all experts agree with the research findings. Health experts suggest that the health benefits of drinking coffee could be because coffee drinkers may have more money and therefore live a healthier lifestyle. They also say that because drinking coffee can be a social activity, coffee drinkers may socialize more and this may increase wellbeing and help us live longer. They say the research does not prove that drinking coffee has concrete health benefits. Researchers also caution against drinking too much coffee. The upper level of safe caffeine intake is around 400 mg. More than this increases the risk of suffering from panic attacks, heart problems, and insomnia.
Sources:
- http://www.bbc.com/news/health-40567047
- https://www.emaxhealth.com/13737/studies-show-drinking-coffee-helps-you-live-longer
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318324.php
