Ever feel guilty for the amount of caffeine you drink? You might love that early morning coffee to perk yourself up for the day ahead, or a lovely cup of tea (with a biscuit, of course). But there may actually be a connection between a longer life and caffeine intake. And this is not just wishful thinking - the news comes from a scientific report.

The study, released this week, was carried out by scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine, to investigate why people who drink caffeine often live longer than those who do not consume any caffeine at all. This link has continuously puzzled the medical community.

It is important to note however, before we take a closer look at the study, that drinking too much caffeine can have an adverse affect on your health - especially if consumed after lunch. Drinking too much tea, coffee and fizzy drinks can increase feelings of anxiety and depression and reduce your quality of sleep. There is also different guidelines on caffeine intake for pregnant women. This topic, therefore, should be treated with a healthy dose of balance.

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The results of the Stanford University study showed that caffeine can reduce inflammation by blocking certain chemicals in the blood. This is a significant as chronic inflammation is associated with dementia, certain forms of cancer and depression. David Furman, the study's lead author explains to Metro, "90% of all noncommunicable diseases of ageing are associated with chronic inflammation."

This news is not just great for coffee drinkers. The same conclusion was reached for people who drank tea and certain other caffeinated fizzy drinks.

"That something many people drink — and actually like to drink — might have a direct benefit came as a surprise to us," Mark Davis, lead-co author of the study, says to Metro. "What we've shown is a correlation between caffeine consumption and longevity."

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From: Country Living UK