How many caffeine hits have you had today?

Caffeine addicts around the world can rest easy knowing that, although too many cups of coffee can be harmful, there are also hidden benefits to having a caffeine break throughout the day.

One cup – A new Greek study of about 485 people aged 65 to 100, revealed drinking just one cup of coffee a day could reduce a person’s blood pressure.

The researchers found those who drank between one and two cups daily had the healthiest arteries, which are believed to be as a result of antioxidants in the coffee increasing the production of nitric oxide, a compound found naturally in the body.

CONS: It takes about eight hours to completely remove caffeine from the body. It is recommended that a person does not drink a cup after 3pm to 4pm if they suffer from sleep troubles.

Two cups – two cups a coffee a day could help keep Alzheimer’s at bay, according to scientists from the University of Florida.

The scientists revealed two cups a day could help prevent the build-up of proteins in the brain that have been linked to memory loss associated with the disease.

Three cups – the caffeine intake from three cups of coffee a day is said to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer by a fifth, the American medical journal Cancer reported.

Men also reap the benefits of three cups of coffee a day as it is believed they will be 40% less likely of developing gallstones, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

CONS: Coffee drinkers who have more than three cups of coffee a day may increase their risk of heart attack, a US study in 2006 found.

Four cups – drinking this amount of coffee a day is thought to “potentially cut the risk of cancer.”

University of Utah scientists found that people who drank four cups daily were 39% less likely to suffer from cancers of the mouth and larynx.

Other research suggests this amount may also reduce the risk of developing colorectal and prostate cancer, as well as type-2 diabetes.

CONS: People who drink this amount are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, as some researchers believe coffee may increase the levels of compounds in the body that can lead to inflammation and joint pain.

Five cups – Research at the National Cancer Centre in Tokyo found five cups a day reduced the risk of serious liver damage by three quarters.

CONS: Several studies have shown that this amount of coffee is a risk factor for osteoporosis, as caffeine can interfere with the absorption of calcium. However, no conclusive evidence suggests that coffee thins bones.

Six cups or more – Drinking six or more cups a day can reduce the risk of some skin cancers by 31%, according to Wayne State University researchers. They believe antioxidants found in caffeine may protect skin cells.

CONS: This amount of coffee can lead to dehydration and can eliminate minerals and vitamins.

It can also cause the body to release hormones that, linked to anxiety and stress, can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, increase blood pressure and in turn, the risk of cardiovascular illnesses.

How many cups of coffee do you have a day? What are your thoughts on the benefits – if any – of caffeine?