Video Website powered by Einstein IndustriesDocShop TV

For millions of Americans, coffee is more than just a tasty way to start their day, it’s their liquid fantasy.

"I have to have it."

“I would describe it as glorious..."

It's like a long lost friend..."

Beyond the taste, the energy boost, and the almost euphoric feeling you can get from it, there’s another side to coffee that people tend to appreciate---even if they don’t exactly know if it’s really healthy for them.

"It's good for socializing and it's good for people that enjoy coffee...i mean as far as your health, everything is pretty much cancerous these days so it's kind of hard to say whether it is or not."

That’s the point. It seems like coffee nation has been given mixed signals about whether coffee is good or bad for you. San Diego area nutritionist Tamara Renee explains.

"They've had studies that says it can help to reduce the risk of some types of cancers."

However there are other studies that show how it encourages the risk of like stomach cancer, leukemia, which is a pretty serious one."

Tamara is right. Some studies indicate coffee may not increase the risk for high blood pressure----others say caffeine could increase blood pressure and raise the risk of heart disease.

According to a dietician at the respected www.mayoclinic.com it’s reasonable to believe that coffee poses little or no threat to healthy adults.

Most credible resources we checked say there is strong evidence that coffee can reduce the risk of serious health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. Some researchers also say it can reduce the risk of breast, liver, and rectal cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and could help protect men---not women---from Parkinson’s disease.

But before you sprint down to your favorite coffee shop with that caffeinated gleam in your eye-- keep in mind some studies still suggest the amount of caffeine in a couple of cups of coffee can significantly decrease blood flow to the heart---“could” increase blood pressure and again--possibly raise the risk of heart disease. Some research indicates coffee can even exaggerate stress during the course of your day.

So what’s a poor coffee drinker to think? Well, confusing studies aside, most everyone says, as with anything, moderation is the key. And---how “you” react to coffee may be your best guide.

“I tell you Greg, if I could teach every person that i counsel to learn to listen to their body, that's the whole key."

"If you take it and it makes you sweat, if it gives you a weird body odor, if it puts a coating on your tongue, if it gives you a headache that's an indication that for whatever reason with your diet and lifestyle and coffee on top of that it is not a good formula for you."

"If you take it in, it gives you a nice even boost, it gives you a little clarity for some hours and a little slow die off, it's probably ok for you."

Don’t forget, not all coffees these days are created equal. There’s a huge difference between plain black coffee---coffee with large amounts of sugar and cream, and your favorite Latte of the month. Once you get past basic black coffee, depending on what you put in your favorite cup of Joe--- the calories and fat can really add up and that’s something all experts agree is not good for you.