Good news for coffee drinkers – a cup a day keeps depression away.

According to consumer health information site www.itsmyhealth.com.audrinking coffee may be protective against developing depression, cutting the risk by as much as 20%, US researchers say.

In a study of more than 50,000 women, the researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that those who drank the most coffee were least likely to develop depression.

The study, published in the September 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, compared the women who drank 1 or less cups of coffee per week with those who drank 2-3 cups a day, or 4 or more cups per day.

It found that those who consumed 2-3 cups per day had a 15% decrease in relative risk for depression, and those consuming 4 cups or more per day had a 20% decrease in risk.

Unfortunately decaffeinated coffee did not have the same effect.

Because it’s an observational study it’s impossible to say if this is a cause and effect relationship, but the authors said it “suggests the possibility” of a “protective effect."

The full article is available at http://www.itsmyhealth.com.au/Healthy-Living/Mind-and-body/Coffee-may-lower-depression-risk