If it weren't for the coffee, I'd have no indentifiable personality whatsoever (David Letterman)

By Elena Voropay

According to one legend monks of the Arabian Peninsula monastery discovered the powerful effect of coffee and exploited it to stay awake during extended hours of prayer. However, recent botanical evidence suggests that Coffea arabica originated in Ethiopia. (The name "coffee" is derived from Caffa, a region of Ethiopia.) It was introduced into Arab countries in the early 15th century, but did not reach Europe until the 16th century, appearing first in Constantinople, then spreading westward. London's first coffeehouse opened in 1652. There is no need to explain why 80% of Americans jump start their day with this most widely used mood-altering drug in the world.

Caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee, has numerous physiological and psychological effects stimulating the brain and nervous system. It is a well known fact that consumption of coffee contributes to the increased alertness and faster reaction time. In addition, a recent study indicates that drinking coffee with milk in the first part of the day helps to remember gained knowledge. Scientists at the University of Bristol in England found that volunteers who had a cup of caffeinated coffee with breakfast and a midmorning coffee break were more able to retain new information. Neurobiologists have learned that brain cells require a boost in calcium in order to store long-term memories, and caffeine has shown to boost levels of brain-cell calcium. An opposing report by the American Medical Association detected a correlation between drinking more coffee and decreased bone-mineral density due to loss of calcium. Milk is an excellent source of calcium, and drinking it with or without coffee will counteract this potential nutrient loss.

If improved brain activity is not enough justification for you to enjoy the most delectable drink there is, the latest study has shown that coffee could actually be beneficial for type 2 diabetes. Scientists at Vrije University in Amsterdam said components in coffee seem to help the body metabolize sugar, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes, which affects 130 million people worldwide. Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by a deficiency or lack of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is caused by an inability to make enough, or properly to use insulin. Type 1 sufferers do not produce enough insulin and need daily injections.

The old adage that coffee causes dehydration seems to apply only if you have fluid problems to begin with or you are a caffeine virgin. Researchers at the Center for Human Nutrition in Omaha found that three groups of men who consumed either water, soda, or coffee remained equally hydrated on all three regimens. (Substitution of recommended daily intake of water by eight cups of coffee is not advised).

A significant number of respectable studies prove that moderate coffee consumption doesn't increase risk of heart attack or cancer, contrary to false alarms in the past. Intake of caffeine may increase production of digestive juices, relax the walls of the blood vessels and the airways in the lungs, while increasing the force of muscular contractions and increasing the heart rate. For that matter, coffee has been used for years by endurance athletes to aid in metabolizing fatty acids. Caffeine preferentially increases the body's use of stored fat for energy, sparing both liver and muscle glycogen, a form of temporary stored sugar in the body. As a nervous-system stimulant, caffeine provides a mental boost that helps athletes through vigorous training sessions.

And the last drop to fill the cup - whether it's filter, cappuccino, latte or espresso, coffee contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium and other micronutrients that have health benefits.

Caffeine begins to exert its stimulating effects within minutes, reaching maximum concentration in the blood between 15 and 45 minutes after it's taken. Significant amounts remain in the blood for 4 to 6 hours. The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published an interesting fact based on research that the half-life of caffeine can be extended with a single serving of grapefruit juice, which slows caffeine's breakdown in the liver. This trick allows you to consume less coffee and still get the same results.

Take caffeine with caution if you have a heart condition, kidney disease, an overactive thyroid, a disposition to convulsions, or a tendency to anxiety or panic attacks. Sustained intake of 1, 500 milligrams of caffeine daily (the equivalent of 15 cups of coffee) can lead to restlessness, irritability, sleeplessness, palpitations, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and headache. Higher doses lead to stiffness, muscle spasms, and rapid, irregular heartbeat. If you are a healthy individual and drink coffee in moderation, at worst, it is a harmless beverage. At best, enjoy you favorite cup of Latte as a healthy boost for the day!