coffee the new "it drink"?

what do you all think of the new studies out about how it is good to have 4 or more cups of coffee a day? i was just starting to cut back on my coffee intake... how ironic...

pros?

cons?

That seems like alot... where did you hear of this study?  I drink 10 oz a day... I can't seem to give it up!

I don't really like coffee but I love the way it smells. I drink tea instead which I believe is just as good for you if not better.

i mean its natural and everything... everything i read is all good about it and i love it! except for the dehydration is you really OVERDRINK it... but im sure it has it's benefits "in moderation" like everything else

the recent medical benifits of coffee have been all over the news. if you google "4 cups of coffe a day" you can find multiple articles for those of you who wanted to know more info.

When I googled "4 cups of coffee a day" it just brought up some information about how it may help prevent gout.  If that's the only benefit then, personally, I still won't be picking up a coffee habit.  I've always thought coffee (and tea) tasted terrible but I live in Tennessee and it seems like everyone in the south loves one or the other or both. 

pros:  kick start in the morning, great flavor to pair with chocolate, has been known to help increase energy prior to a work out, somewhat of an appetite supressant, benefits as listed in study for avoidance of heart problems and anti-oxidants.

cons:  chemical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, dehydration, elevated blood pressure, stained teeth, potential high caloric intake when anything is added, spending way to much money at Starbucks

That being said, some of the cons only come into play if consumed in excess.  I personally can't handle more than 12 ounces a day, and it kick starts my mornings perfectly.

Ok so I have been reading coffee posts for the last hour!  ha ha  I cannot find a way to totally kick the coffee habit.

3 years ago... splenda and I were friends. And I can't seem to find the taste for it again  :(  So once in awhile black coffee is ok.  But... I absolutely L O V E my caramel vanilla creamer with a little extra sweetness!    

I went to a friends house and she had the coffee in the tins (General Foods International Coffee's) and the French Vanilla was very very good!!!   It was decaf and only 60 cal per serving!  So that right there cut my calorie problem down!!    I have not brewed a pot of coffee in a week!   But here's where the problem lies...  it takes at least 4 heaping spoonfuls to flavor my 12oz coffee cup that I take to work  :(  And I usually put an extra spoonful in just because it tastes so darn good!!!   I was using milk at first because it made it creamier but the amount I need to use isn't good after one single cup  :(    I mixed the no sugar stuff in to see if that would help a little bit but no luck yet.

I am thinking about going back to my old ways of enjoyng my brewed  coffee but I need to find a way to keep it tasting good and find a way to lower the calories.   I know I should drink it black and not worry about it... but taste is E V E R Y T H I N G to me first thing in the morning!!!!     I would love to see what coffee substitutes anyone out there may use!!

coppertop_4- u can buy really good herbal coffee- there's no actual coffee in it but its made to taste like coffee and i believe it's healthier (since its all herbs and a bit of grains). it has  much less of a bitter taste than coffee so you can drink it with less sweetener and/or milk/cream.  they come in all dif flavors, like vanilla nut, mocha.... dunno if it gives as much of a buzz as coffee gives u but u shud try it!