Coffee protects against type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimers, study suggests

Dietary guidelines in the US suggest that coffee reduces the risk of heart disease, Parkinsons, Alzheimers disease and type 2 diabetes.
The guidelines reflect the growing body of research that argues for the health benefits of coffee.
Even multiple cups of decaffeinated coffee reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, according to the guidelines.
“We looked at all the science,” said Dr. Miriam Nelso, a professor in the School of Nutrition Science of Policy at Tufts University, and a member of the committee that composed the guidelines.
“We have found no negative, adverse effects on health when you drink up to three to five cups a day.
“In fact, there is a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and a couple of cancers.”
The researchers were unable to identify why coffee is good for you. Because of this, other commentators have suggested that the findings be taken with a pinch of salt.
Dr. Tom Brenna, another member of the group that wrote the guidelines, said:
“Implying that coffee is going to cure cancer is not a very good thing to do.”
But Dr. Brenna conceded that they could find no reason to suggest coffee is harmful. It is simply best to treat the findings with caution, because they are new. In time, new research may further validate the results.
Brenna added: “There is no evidence whatsoever for negative health consequences in the general population and if anything, the signal was in another direction. It seems to be protective.
“The real takeaway is, have your coffee in the morning with complete confidence that at least on average, nobody ever found any problem.”