Following the research on the health effects of certain foods and drinks can sometimes feel like watching a tennis match: it's good for you. It's bad for you. It's good for you. It's bad for you.

Welcome TRUE’s newest members with a wink. Search now>>

It happened with chocolate and alcohol, both of which were long considered to be sins against nutrition, only to be more recently blessed by health experts, if used in moderation. The latest to have its reputation redeemed? Coffee.

Read on for the (mostly) good news about the now-noble bean:

Blood pressure: Results from long-term studies are showing that coffee may not increase the risk for high blood pressure over time, as previously thought. Study findings for other cardiovascular effects are a mixed bag.

Cancer: Coffee might have anti-cancer properties. Last year, researchers found that coffee drinkers were 50% less likely to get liver cancer than nondrinkers. A few studies have found ties to lower rates of colon, breast, and rectal cancers.

Diabetes: Heavy coffee drinkers may be half as likely to get diabetes as light drinkers or nondrinkers. Coffee may contain chemicals that lower blood sugar. A coffee habit may also increase your resting metabolism rate, which could help keep diabetes at bay.

Parkinson's disease: Coffee seems to protect men, but not women, against Parkinson's disease. One possible explanation for the sex difference may be that estrogen and caffeine need the same enzymes to be metabolized, and estrogen captures those enzymes.

But don't start looking for coffee in the health food aisle of your local market. The news isn't all good:

Cholesterol: Two substances in coffee — kahweol and cafestol — raise cholesterol levels. Paper filters capture these substances, but that doesn't help the many people who now drink non-filtered coffee drinks, such as lattes. Researchers have also found a link between cholesterol increases and decaffeinated coffee, possibly because of the type of bean used to make certain decaffeinated coffees.

It's important to note than anything in excess is bound to have a negative impact on your health, so don't go overboard. Just know that you can now feel a little less guilty about feeding your java jones.

What makes you tick?

Find singles who really click with you! Take our free TRUE Personality test! What kind of personality are you? Do you tend to take charge or would you rather go with the flow? Are you an open book or are you shrouded in mystery? Understanding what makes you tick can help you find that magical click with others. Take TRUE Personality now!