Review: Coffee generally positive

CHICAGO, Jan. 22 Moderate drinking of coffee is being shown to have generally positive and protective effects on the emergence of disease conditions, say U.S. researchers.

Food Technology reports that recent studies of coffee in combination with reviews of research gathered over the past 30 years reveal that consumption improves glucose regulation and lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, among other favorable effects.

Many negative health myths about coffee drinking may now be transformed into validated health benefits, says Roger A. Clemens, a functional food expert with the Institute of Food Technologists and nutritional biochemist. Scientific evidence now suggests that moderate coffee consumption -- 3 to 5 cups a day -- may be associated with reduced risks of certain disease conditions.Another area of coffee's positive affect on the body is its possible cancer-protective properties, possibly due to its naturally occurring and brewing-produced antioxidants, according to Clemens.

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