Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world and has been around since the 9th century. Many people can’t start their day without coffee as soon as they wake up. Coffee helps to wake you up and gives you the energy to start your day. Coffee also has many health benefits, not just the caffeine keeping you awake and getting you through your day.

Some of these health benefits include the reduced chances of Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Coffee also helps protect you from cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson’s Disease. Read on for the healthy benefits of drinking coffee:

1. Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes

A study has found that people who increased their daily coffee intake by more than a cup decreased their odds of getting Type 2 Diabetes by 11%. It’s unclear why coffee has positive effects on diabetes, but a Harvard study showed a positive correlation in a 2014 study.

2. Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

The majority of studies of how coffee reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease shows a correlation and slowing of the metal decline that often comes with aging. It has been shown that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee a day during the middle of your life can decrease the chances of Alzheimer’s disease later in life by around 65%.

3. Coffee protects the liver

A study of over 430,000 people showed that two additional cups of coffee per day can reduce your likelihood of developing cirrhosis of the liver by 44%. Coffee has been shown to help with other liver diseases as well. If you feel you’re getting too much caffeine, drinking decaffeinated coffee will give you the same results. Cirrhosis of the liver cannot typically be cured, so prevention is key. If this prevention comes with increased coffee intake, even better.

4. Coffee safeguards against Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that can lead to shaking, fine and gross motor control, and stiffness. Research suggests that drinking three cups of coffee a day will decrease your chances of getting Parkinson’s disease by 30%. The coffee for helping with Parkinson’s does need to be caffeinated, but that’s the best part of coffee anyway.

5. Lowers the risk of heart disease

Coffee has been proven to not clog or stiffen arteries. 3-5 cups of coffee a day has been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, by 15%. People who are hypertensive or have high blood pressure should not consume as much coffee. Coffee lowers the risk before you have heart issues. If you already have them, it might not have the same benefits.