This has been the trend in America for generations; today, 100 million Americans stumble to the coffee maker or drive to the local Starbucks to enjoy a steamy cup of black java.

Coffee is an integral part of our lives. Without it, Americans would surely die. Or is the coffee slowly killing us?

Coffee has been the spur of much recent debate. The overall message gives us the notion that coffee is unhealthy, a substance that we must try to quit hopefully before the end. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant and drug with the potential to become addictive, cause sleep difficulties, and heart problems.

New studies show that coffee also has great benefits such as antioxidants cell protectors to keep us healthier (even feel and look younger) and it may prevent some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and stoke.

Some research suggests that just one cup of coffee a day is enough to increase antioxidant intake, and decaffeinated coffee appears to offer just as much benefit as the caffeinated counterpart.

Coffee may offer other healthful roles as well. Some research shows that coffee helps with memory, stamina, and even weight control, said Rick Hall, a lecturer at Arizona State University Polytechnic campus.

Besides antioxidants, there may be other substances in coffee that may be healthy for our bodies as well. Some studies have found that many disease states are prevented by drinking coffee, including Parkinson's, asthma, and liver cirrhosis.

This is all preliminary research and the reason is largely unknown, but the findings are exciting discoveries that can be built upon in future research.

When is too much coffee bad for you?

There is research findings that have linked drinking three or more cups of coffee a day with increased heart risk. Coffee can raise the level of an amino acid, called homocysteine, which might harm the arteries. The caffeine in coffee may also raise blood pressure thought this has not been proven.

Drinking or eating a large amount of caffeine can also speed bone loss and might reduce birth weight and raise the risk of miscarriage. Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant are advised to not drink more than two cups of coffee a day. The same is also true for postmenopausal women to guard their bones.

Caffeine has also been known to precipitate heart burn, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety.

Caffeine is found in many types of food and beverages so a careful monitoring of your caffeine content being consumed is important. Coffee does have one of the highest doses of caffeine.

The solution to the debate problem drink in moderation is a real issue in America with its super-sized meals, out-of-control portions, and high-calorie convenience food sales rising.

Coffee can be consumed in excess - which makes it a less healthy choice. Americans probably over-consume caffeine," Hall said.

Another concern with coffee consumption is added calories from extra ingredients. Cream and sugar offer extra calories, especially in commercial drinks such as Starbucks (a Grande-sized caff mocha with whipped cream has 400 calories in it), which must be considered when thinking of the health benefits of coffee.