For years coffee has received a lot of bad publicity. It was supposed to cause cancer, for one thing. Further research, however, suggests that it may, instead, prevent cancer.

An article in the Kansas City Infizine says:

Old fears that coffee might increase risk of cancer are no longer considered valid. Overall, laboratory studies suggest that regular and decaffeinated coffee (brewed, not instant) may offer a variety of health benefits because of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds coffee contains.

If you're a drinker, there's even more good news. I found this note on the Cancer Blog:

Drinking coffee might protect against the progressive liver damage that results from excess drinking and alcoholism. According to Kaiser Permanente researchers, consuming coffee seems to offer a protective benefit against alcoholic Cirrhosis, and the more coffee a person consumes the less risk they seem to have of dying from alcoholic cirrhosis.

Remember. however, that coffee is a stimulant and it can keep you awake. Avoid drinking coffee in the evening.