Coffee can be considered one of nature's greatest gifts. It gives mental and emotional clarity without harmful side effects, (like alcohol or tobacco), and it contains a wealth of nutrients. Yet, when most people drink coffee, they are not thinking that the beverage is improving their health. In fact, some may even feel a little guilty, since some believe coffee is not good for you at all.

Well, here's the truth of the matter. Coffee, like anything else, can cause problems if too much is consumed. In the short-term, too much coffee will cause insomnia, nausea and hypertension. In the long-term, too much coffee will cause stomach problems, teeth staining, and high cholesterol.

As far as the benefits, moderate consumption of coffee, (which means 1 to 4 cups a day), inundates your body with a wealth of antioxidants. These substances are responsible for eliminating free radicals. They are the chemical byproducts produced any time your body does something. A small number of them can help serve as a buffer against negative elements, but if they are not in check, they can cause health problems. Antioxidants ensure that this does not happen.

Even the caffeine content within coffee can be beneficial towards your health. One way it does this is by acting as a diuretic. Diuretics flush the water of your body's cells, which keeps your weight down while flushing out impurities. This includes feces, which is why coffee offers the perfect cure for constipation.

The psychological effects of caffeine can not be ignored either. Not only does caffeine make you more alert, but it can actually affect your mood. If you were feeling depressed or overwhelmed, a nice cup of joe could change your perspective. The stack of work that seemed impossible before before is not even a problem now.

In addition, caffeine helps stimulate creativity as it speeds up the body's functioning. That's why coffee is often associated with writers and other intellectual professions. Other drugs tend to make people dumber. Consider what happens when people get high off of crack or when they get drunk off of alcohol. They will not be functional at all. But with coffee, an individual gets a creative boost while still helping their bodies.

In conclusion, do not feel bad when you're brewing your morning cup of coffee. Unlike a can of soda or a shot of alcohol, coffee will make you feel wonderful while keeping you healthy. Just remember, you do have to consume the beverage in moderation.