Excellent news! Drinking coffee every day can help you live longer

Any coffee addicts in your life are going to be feeling quite smug with this news. 

Researchers have said that people who report drinking three to five cups of the caffeinated deliciousness are less likely to die prematurely from certain diseases.

These included heart disease, suicide, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. 

Even better news! Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were shown to have benefits, said the study by researchers at the Harvard University Chan School of Public Health.

The study compared people who do not drink coffee, or drank less than two cups daily, to those who reported drinking "moderate" amounts of coffee, or up to five cups daily.

The study did not prove a cause-and-effect for coffee and the reduced likelihood of certain diseases. However, they uncovered an apparent link that is in alignment with previous research, and that scientists are interested in studying further.

"Bioactive compounds in coffee reduce insulin resistance and systematic inflammation," which according to first author Ming Ding, a doctoral student in the Department of Nutrition, explains many of their findings. 

No protective effect was found against cancer in this study. Some previous research has pointed to a link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of certain cancers.

The study was based on data gathered from three ongoing surveys of some 300,000 nurses and other health professionals who agree to answer questionnaires about their own medical conditions and habits over the course of 30 years. 

"In the whole study population, moderate coffee consumption was associated with reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, and suicide," said the findings. 

The experts did warn that coffee may not be right for everyone. Shocking, but true.

"Regular consumption of coffee can be included as part of a healthy, balanced diet," said senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard. 

"However, certain populations such as pregnant women and children should be cautious about high caffeine intake from coffee or other beverages."