You've probably seen articles on why drinking too much coffee is bad for you.  But if you drink it in moderation . . . and you don't load it up with cream and sugar . . . coffee is actually GOOD for your health.

In fact, it has more antioxidants per serving than blueberries do, and it's the top source of antioxidants in the average American's diet.

So to help kick off the work week, here's a list from "EatingWell" magazine that'll help you feel better about your favorite morning addiction.  It's five reasons to NOT quit drinking coffee.

#1.)  It's Good For Your Heart. Even though coffee raises your heart rate and blood pressure when you drink it, research suggests it might actually LOWER your blood pressure in the long run.

And moderate coffee drinkers . . . which means one-to-three cups a day . . . are also less likely to suffer a stroke.  Researchers think it's because the antioxidants help protect your arteries from inflammation.

#2.)  It Might Help Prevent Diabetes. According to several studies, the antioxidants boost your sensitivity to insulin, and people who drink four or more cups of coffee a day have a lower risk of developing type two diabetes.

But here's the catch:  If you have too much caffeine, it doesn't work.  So you're supposed to switch back and forth between regular and decaf.

#3.)  It's Good for Your Liver. The case isn't closed on this one, but some research has shown that the more coffee you drink, the less likely you are to develop liver disease.

And one analysis of nine different studies found that for every two cups of coffee you drink per day, your risk of developing liver cancer drops by 43%.

#4.)  It's Good for Your Brain. According to at least one study, drinking up to five cups of coffee a day reduces your risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

Researchers think the antioxidants protect your brain cells and make the neurotransmitters in your brain work better.

#5.)  It Helps With Headaches. 200 milligrams of caffeine . . . which is what's in the average 16-ounce cup of coffee . . . can relieve mild headaches and even migraines.

Experts don't know exactly WHY it works, but they do know that caffeine boosts brain cell activity, which causes the surrounding blood vessels to constrict.  And one theory is, the constriction helps to relieve the pressure that's causing the pain.

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