Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The researchers followed 450000 participants for an average of 12.5 years and recorded how much they drank coffee. The survey found that ground coffee, instant coffee and decaffeinated coffee reduced the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by 20%, 9% and 6%, respectively, including coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction and congestive heart failure. Peter Gestler, author of the study, said: "Coffee is rich in more than 100 bioactive ingredients, and it is not certain whether caffeine has this magical effect." A study last year showed that drinking three to four cups of coffee a day, with or without caffeine, reduced the risk of death from chronic liver disease and other factors. (China Daily)