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Wake up, smell the coffee
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-29 10:35

A German health organization has issued a brochure with new conclusions about the effects of coffee on human health, saying that it is good for the brain and the liver.

Germany's Green Cross says coffee speeds up digestion and protects people from age-related diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and cirrhosis of the liver. The brochure summarizes the results of several studies on coffee consumption.

Coffee has a preponderance of positive influences on health and well-being. Caffeine plays an important role not only by improving the ability to concentrate, but also by decreasing the risk of liver cirrhosis by up to 80 percent among people who drink at least four cups a day.

In addition coffee contains a number of health promoting ingredients, such as chlorogene acid, a substance that can cut nearly in half the risk of Alzheimer's disease.