Go Ahead Eat the Chocolate and Drink the Coffee

I found this at the Runner's World website.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-53-0-0-5010,00.html

"Many a runner can't do without a cup of joe before a morning run, myself included. Despite coffee's perky appeal, it's not often viewed as a health drink. But there's an up- side to java.For one, drinking coffee may help fend off certain age-related ailments, such as Alzheimer's disease. A new report links regular coffee drinking with a lower risk for this disease. It's thought that the antioxidants found in coffee may offer the protection. Coffee drinkers may also cut their risk of Parkinson's disease, with the best protection going to those who drink as much as 28 ounces of java a day. Researchers believe the caffeine in coffee may have an impact on brain chemicals that are related to Parkinson's. And if that's not enough to make you feel good about your morning cup, know that coffee may also thwart gallstone disease. In a study of over 46,000 men, those who drank four or more cups a day had almost half the risk of developing gallstones. Researchers believe that the caffeine in coffee indirectly stimulates gallbladder contraction, which slows stone formation. So unless your physician has advised you to cut back on coffee because of high blood pressure or some other health concern, keep the pot on. "