Think Faster, Exercise Harder, Live Longer

Men's Health tells you everything you need to know about the many health benefits of caffeine.

By now you'd think scientists could close the book on caffeine and move on to other mysteries, like why anyone would ever order a chai latte. After all, coffee and related beverages have been revving people up since, oh, the 15th century. And in the past 60 years, researchers have conducted more than 21,000 studies on our favorite stimulant. That's an average of one new study a day through all of those decades. (Those nutrition scientists may have gotten into their own stash.)

If we don't know caffeine by now, you may well ask, when will we know it? And do I have time for a fix while I'm waiting?

Make it a venti, and sit down. We'll explain a few things. First off, caffeine is a complex compound. And it's made even more so by America's preferred delivery method, coffee. For instance, caffeine raises blood pressure, but habitual coffee drinkers are half as likely to die of heart failure as those who don't fill their mug daily. And while caffeine spikes blood sugar, a java habit may help you dodge diabetes.

Confused? Then use this primer to learn how to consume caffeine to your advantage--at work, in the gym, and for overall health. Read more