A recent analysis of data gathered by the American Heart Association finds that coffee is good for you, depending on how you drink it. Drinking one or more cups of plain, black, caffeinated coffee a day was associated with a long-term reduced risk of heart failure. Compared with non-coffee drinkers, the analysis found the risk of heart failure over time decreased between 5% and 12% for each cup of coffee consumed daily.

Characteristics of Coffee

Coffee beans come in four basic types.

  1. Arabica: This is the most common type of coffee in North America. Its flavor is sweet and more delicate, and the beans are less acidic. Arabica beans are farmed in areas with high elevations above sea level where rain is common.
  2. Robusta: This coffee bean is most popular in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With extremely high levels of caffeine, robusta is known for its strong and often harsh, burnt flavor profile.
  3. Liberica: These coffee beans, grown in very specific climates, are a highly sought-after treat. Tasters of Liberica coffee describe the aroma to fruit and flowers with a woody flavor.
  4. Excelsa: Part of the Liberica family, excelsa is grown primarily in Southeast Asia. Its tart, fruitier flavor offers a unique profile for coffee enthusiasts around the world.

Other Benefits of Coffee

  • Can improve energy levels
  • Can help burn fat
  • May lower your risk of Type 2 Diabetes
  • May lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease
  • Protects the liver
  • May lower your risk of getting colon cancer
  • May decrease your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease or suffering a stroke
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