Coffee Could Lower Risk Of Premature Death, Harvard Study Finds

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) -- A new study out of Harvard University says that your morning cup of coffee may help guard against some serious health problems.

Researchers at Harvard said java lovers who drank three to five cups a day have a 15 percent lower risk of premature death.

Coffee lowered their risk of death from cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, type 2 diabetes and suicide, according to the study.

Results of a Harvard study on coffee (Image credit CBS This Morning)

"This study provides further evidence that moderate consumption of coffee may confer health benefits in terms of reducing premature death due to several diseases," nutrition professor Frank Hu said in a statement.

It also didn't matter if the coffee was caffeinated or decaf. Researchers say that suggests the health benefits might come from naturally occurring chemical compounds in the coffee beans.

The findings are based on a large study involving more than 200,000 men and women.