COFFEE January 5, 2012

A recent analysis of the Nurses’ Health Study has found a reduced risk of depression among coffee drinkers. Decaf appeared to have no significant effect on depression, nor did tea. Coffee contains antioxidant compounds called polyphenols that might help regulate blood sugar and prevent deadly clots. In fact, regular coffee consumption was associated with a longer life — mostly due to a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes —  in a 2008 study of nearly 180,000 people who were followed for two decades. Most healthy adults can safely consume up to 300 milligrams of caffeine daily (roughly three 8-ounce cups of coffee). People who suffer from anxiety might want to reduce or eliminate their consumption of caffeine. (Consumer Reports on Health, January 2012)