How much of a good thing is good for you?

It is a common complaint that the foods we love in live   chocolate, sugar, fatty foods   are always to be eaten in small quantities or with moderation.

It seems that the products we enjoy are not necessarily good for us.

To that end, there have been various studies into the effects of coffee on the human body.

And it has transpired that drinking a reasonable amount of coffee might not be such a bad idea.

So what is the story?

The Preventative and Clinical Investigations Centre in Paris has carried out a study, which suggests that drinking four cups of coffee on a daily basis has positive results.

The study monitored the blood pressure of both men and women between 16 and 95 years of age.

It examined these participants over a decade, asking them to record their caffeine intake.

The group was categorised according whether they were (a) abstainers, (b) drinking 1-4 cups daily or (c) consuming more than this amount.

What were the results?

It seems that those who drank the most had the lowest systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

In addition, they had a lower heart rate and pulse pressure.

Those who consumed a lot of coffee had slightly higher blood pressure results.

Surprisingly, those with the highest readings of blood pressure, pulse pressure and heart rate, were those who abstained.

High blood pressure is a problem which affects about a quarter of adults and can increase the risk of serious conditions, such as heart disease and strokes.

Although more research needs to be done into these findings, the initial results have surprised many.

It seems that more studies and research would be beneficial.