Okay, maybe it's a stretch to call coffee a wonder drug, but researchers are finding that drinking coffee is often more helpful than harmful in maintaining good health. Despite its long standing bad reputation, drinking coffee can actually be good for you.

The virtues related to drinking coffee was highlighted in the news just the other day when researchers announced that drinking coffee regularly may prevent cirrhosis of the liver. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, shows that coffee may contain an ingredient that may protect the liver against cirrhosis, especially when it's caused by drinking alcohol.

Of course, not everyone is a heavy alcohol drinker. For those who aren't worried about cirrhosis of the liver, coffee may aid in reducing their risks of contracting Type 2 diabetes. Researchers have found that while drinking one to three cups of coffee a day can modestly cut the risk of diabetes; drinking up to six cups a day can significantly reduce that risk.

Drinking coffee can also lower a person's risk of contracting Parkinson's disease and colon cancer. At least six studies have indicated that regularly drinking coffee can lower the risk of Parkinson's disease by up to 80 percent. Drinking at least two cups a day can slash a person's risk of colon cancer by up to 25 percent.

For all of its bad press over the years, studies are showing that it's not always such a bad thing to indulge that coffee vice after all. In fact, if you're into playing the stock market, now might be a good time to invest in Starbucks! If you want to learn more about how coffee can benefit your health, check out this article about it on Web MD.

About the author: In her spare time, knotheadus writes for Epinions.com and maintains her own Web site, knot-heads.com.