Study says 5 cups of coffee a day could extend your life

Some people's lives revolve around coffee. 

As soon as they wake up they need their first hit of caffeine and it's all downhill (or up, depending on how you look at it) from there and they end up knocking back a good 5 or so cups of the liquid drug. 

But now, you coffee addicts may be able to rationalise your addiction, as scientists are saying that drinking up to five cups of coffee a day could help you live longer.

The beverage reduces the risk of an early death from heart disease, Parkinson's disease and type 2 diabetes, they found. The 30-year study of more than 200,000 people suggests that drinking coffee also lowers the risk of suicide.

Whether or not the coffee contained caffeine made no difference and the benefits are thought to be linked to plant compounds in coffee beans. Authors of the US study, in the journal Circulation, said drinking between three and five cups a day appears to have health benefits.

Lead scientist Ming Ding, of Harvard School of Public Health, said: "Bioactive compounds in coffee reduce insulin resistance and systematic inflammation. However, more studies are needed to investigate the biological mechanisms producing these effects."

Claire Bale, head of research communications at Parkinson's UK, said: "Further investigation is needed to find out if coffee could genuinely help us fight Parkinson's."

If you're a coffee lover then find out what coffee you are here: