We have good news for all coffee lovers! A recent study featured on ScienceDaily.com shows that your favorite brew doesn't only perk you up--it may also help protect you from type 2 diabetes.

Researchers from the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC), a non-profit organization that studies the effects of coffee on health, has found that consuming around four cups of coffee a day lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 25 percent. The "how" of it still needs more study, but a few theories have been put forward: it could be that caffeine rush stimulates metabolism, burns sugar, and aids in energy expenditure, or it could also be that coffee influences the balance of glucose in a person's body.

But coffee doesn't only fight diabetes. Previous studies have shown that loving your latte means loving your heart, as it lowers your risk of cardiovascular failure--quite the opposite of the common perception that the spike and jumpiness that you get may give you a heart attack. Drinking coffee may also help you live longer as well as reduce your risk of getting endometrial cancer.

Despite the numerous health benefits of your favorite comfort drink, it's a must to remember to consume it in moderation. Taking it in excess may cause hyperacidity, dyspepsia, and constipation. It can also disrupt your body's natural rhythm, especially if you take it as a stimulant to stay awake during hours when you should be sleeping. As long as you don't go overboard, however, you can face the rest of the day knowing that you're sipping your way to better health.

(Photo by David Joyce via Flickr Creative Commons)