"Coffee consumption seems generally safe within usual levels of intake, with summary estimates indicating largest risk reduction for various health outcomes at three to four cups a day, and more likely to benefit health than harm," the report says. It cited studies on both decaffeinated and regular coffee.
The study was also able to note that a few cups of java even reduced the risk of depression as well as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
But not everyone should drink coffee, especially pregnant women, the lab coats noted. According to the findings, drinking that cup of coffee increases the risk of low birth weight, premature births and stillbirths.
But don't rejoice just yet, coffee lovers.
One of the major drawbacks to the research is that the study was a meta-review of scientific literature based on observations, meaning that researchers could only draw correlations instead of pointing out a clear cause and effect.
"What we can say is that people who already enjoy moderate amounts of coffee as part of their diet are most probably getting health benefits from it, rather than harm," Robin Poole, the study's lead researcher, said in a statement.
Though the group will soon begin their next phase to study the effect coffee has on the liver, Poole added coffee enthusiasts should still "try to make it as healthy as possible" and steer clear of the sugar.
