Another Reason I Heart Coffee So Much: It Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease!

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Once in a while you see a movie in which someone is all hyped up on coffee. They are agitated and grimacing, and then suddenly they grasp their chest and proceed to have a heart attack on screen. If you see this type of movie, it should seem grainy and perhaps a little off-color and uncontemporary. Because anyone who is aware of the evidence surrounding coffee and cardiovascular disease is also aware that coffee is not associated with an increased risk of heart attack. In fact, coffee is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

So says a recent study published on June 18, 2010 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association. In a study that included 37,514 subjects over a 13-year period, people who drank 6 or more cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of developing heart disease by 36%. Those who drank 2 to 4 cups per day had a 20% reduced risk. It's not clear exactly what the underlying mechanism is---but the numerous antioxidants found in coffee are clear contributors to this beneficial effect.

Researchers added that coffee drinkers also tend to exercise more and have a lower incidence of obesity. Plus (and this is IMO and the opinion of many others), coffee tastes good and makes you happy---especially the Italian Roast that I had at Starbucks today. It was bright and smooth and perfect with a dab of skim milk.

So drink another cup of coffee today if you can....it's one more way you can love yourself and improve your long-term health,







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