Sip the black stuff to beat the blues. Harvard School of Public Health researchers reviewed the drinking habits of more than 200,000 people over 16 years and found that two to three cups of coffee a day slashed suicide risk by up to 50 percent.
Meanwhile, beverages like soda, tea, and decaf coffee had no effect on the statistics.
The caffeine in java could have a protective effect against depression and some neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease, says lead study author Michel Lucas, Ph.D.
Caffeine acts as a mild antidepressant, targeting the same neurotransmitters that many drugs used to treat depression do, he adds.
While a few cups of Joe may cheer you up, researchers still aren’t sure how caffeine affects mood in the long run. Just remember to limit your daily coffee quota; previous studies have shown an increased risk of suicide as people start consuming more than eight cups a day, Lucas says. (The same amount as three grandes from Starbucks.)
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