A tray of coffee. (Photo: Courtesy).

Many people take coffee for its caffeine which makes them feel less tired, increases energy levels, and burns fat, but multiple studies have found that taking the right quantity of coffee can actually prolong your life.

Nutrition experts from the US-based Johns Hopkins University School of medicine say coffee is full of substances that may help guard against conditions such as heart and liver diseases.

It contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation.

Recent studies also found that coffee drinkers are less likely to die from some of the leading causes of death in women such as diabetes, stroke, kidney and heart disease.

It is established that regular coffee seem to have a protective effect on your liver, with coffee drinkers more likely to have liver enzyme levels within a healthy range than people who don’t drink coffee.

Dark roast coffee also decreases breakage in DNA strands, which occur naturally but can lead to cancer or tumors if not repaired by your cells.

Safe for women

According to the study, it’s safe for most women to drink three to five cups of coffee a day with a maximum intake of 400 milligrams of caffeine.

But the rules are different for pregnant and breastfeeding women, who are advised to take at least one a day.

“Check with your obstetrician before adding caffeine into your diet. If coffee gives you the jitters, take care not to overdo it: You can still get some of the potential health benefits by drinking one cup of coffee a day, or even decaf.” quotes the research.

“Also, remember that what you add to your coffee can make a difference in how healthy the beverage really is. Instead of loading up on cream and sugar, try adding up to two tablespoons of milk, milk substitute or half-and-half, and using naturally sweet spices and flavorings.”

It is, however, advised that excessive intake of caffeinated coffee can cause increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, anxiety and trouble falling asleep.

Coffee drinkers must also limit the amount of sugar as much as they can, by adding only a teaspoon or using other sweeteners instead.