Studies show that people who drink alcohol but also drink three
or more cups of coffee a day have half the risk for cirrhosis,
compared with people who drink alcohol but not coffee. One study
looked at 30 years of data from the Honolulu Heart Program. It
found that men who did not drink coffee were two to three times
more likely to develop the disease than those who drank one to
four cups of caffeinated coffee a day. The researchers suggest
caffeine may block the brain's receptors for a chemical called
adenosine. That lets the level of another chemical, dopamine,
increase. Dopamine controls the smooth, coordinated function of
the body's muscles and movement. Lack of dopamine causes
Parkinson's. A positive conclusion Coffee -- and caffeine, in
general -- has many health benefits for older adults. The
American Medical Association and other experts stress that
moderation is important: Three cups a day is fine, but 10 cups
is too much. Make sure the rest of your diet is healthy, as
well. Eat nutritious meals, and