A study published in the World Journal of Biological Psychiatry examined the link between consumption of coffee and caffeine and the risk of suicide.  Researchers found that consuming coffee resulted in a statistically significant lowered risk of suicide.

Taking data from three large studies, which involved 43,599 men, 73,820 women, and 91,005 women, the study compared the suicide risk for individuals consuming less than one cup of caffeinated coffee per week to those consuming two to three cups or more than four cups.  They found that the relative risk of suicide was approximately halved for those that consumed two or more cups of caffeinated coffee per week.

The lowered risk of suicide is supported by earlier studies that showed that consuming caffeinated coffee lowered the risk for depression.  Scientists point out that coffee plays a role in mood transmitters.  By regulating and modulating the release of these mood transmitters, coffee affects the brain in a way that can reduce the risk of depression.  It is possible that similar mechanisms may be occurring that impact other conditions that precipitate suicide.

In addition to the benefits related to suicide and depression, coffee has been linked to a number of other potential health benefits.  Last year, a study published in Cancer Research indicated that drinking three or more cups of coffee per day resulted in a 20 percent lower risk of basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer.

Another study found benefits related to Alzheimer’s from similar coffee consumption levels.  For individuals that showed mild cognitive impairments, an early warning sign of dementia, consuming high levels of caffeine helped protect against the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Moderate coffee consumption has also shown benefits related to heart disease and diabetes.  Drinking two cups of coffee per day was linked to an 11 percent lower risk of heart failure, but the benefits disappear as the consumption increases, making moderation critical.  Drinking three to four cups has been linked to 25 percent lower incidence of type 2 diabetes, but more cups may or may not jeopardize the health benefits.  Researchers believe that caffeine may help stimulate metabolism and increase energy, which are important to preventing the onset of diabetes.

However, coffee consumption is not all beneficial.  Particularly with higher rates of caffeine consumption, research has found mild addictions, increased heart rate, occasional irregular heartbeats, and higher blood pressure.  Caffeine as a drug has also been acknowledged by psychiatric professionals, recognizing caffeine intoxication and withdrawal as mental disorders.  There may also be detrimental effects on breast health and osteoporosis in women, but the studies have thus far been inconclusive.