If the way coffeeshops and cafes are popping up all around the metro--sometimes with multiple branches on a single street--is anything to go by, then it's safe to say that we do love our coffee. Many of us rely on it to start the day right; plus, it reduces the risk of heart disease and, according to a new study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, endometrial cancer as well.

In fact, Edward Giovannucci, MD, ScD, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, has said that any cancer that has something to do with obesity, estrogen, and insulin might benefit from long-term consumption of coffee. "Coffee has already been shown to be protective against diabetes due to its effect on insulin," said Giovannucci remarked. “So we hypothesized that we'd see a reduction in some cancers as well."

Studying 67,470 women enrolled in a Nurses’ Health Study and their coffee consumption coupled with 26 years of following up, Giovannucci and the rest of the researchers were able to identify 672 cases of endometrial cancer. Upon further analysis, it was also revealed that those who drank four cups of coffee a day saw a 25-percent reduction rate when it came to getting cancer. Meanwhile, those who drank only two to three cups had a seven percent reduction rate.

Even decaffeinated coffee comes with its own perks. According to the study, drinking more than two cups of decaf reduces the risk of endometrial cancer by a whopping 22 percent.

While this is all good news for avid coffee drinkers, Giovannucci hopes that more research can be done on the subject of drinking coffee. The simple fact that coffee has more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables might warrant further studies as well.

For more on coffee, check out this study:

• New Study: Coffee Reduces Risk of Heart Disease + 15 Coffee Products to Enjoy on the Go
• New Study: Coffee Doesn't Make You More Alert + How to Stay Awake without Caffeine

(Photo by michaelaw via sxc.hu)