You know how Dunkin' Donuts says America runs on Dunkin? As if you needed justification for your caffeine fix -- here's another one: researchers found that middle-aged adults who drank four or more cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who rarely had a cup.

The researchers based their findings on data from 12,204 middle-aged U.S. adults who were followed from 1987 to 1999 -- all of who were free of diabetes at the outset. Participants completed detailed questionnaires on their diets, including how often they drank coffee. They also reported on their exercise levels, smoking habits, alcohol intake and other lifestyle factors. Even with these other factors considered, coffee drinkers showed a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who downed four or more cups a day were about one-third less likely to report a diabetes diagnosis over the study period.

The reason is not fully clear, but one possibility is that certain coffee components -- such as magnesium or chlorogenic acid -- improve the body's regulation of blood sugar. Some research also suggests that caffeinated coffee spurs a prolonged spike in metabolism that may help control body weight. The findings of this study are not a green light to start an intravenous line of java. Although the findings show a positive effect on reducing risk of developing type 2 diabetes, excessive caffeine consumption is related to other risks like elevated blood pressure. All things considered, I think type 2 diabetes might be a trigger for high blood pressure just the same. So if you had to choose: tons of coffee, elevated blood pressure with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes or no coffee, stable blood pressure and increased likelihood of type 2 diabetes-what would you prefer? I'll take mine light and sweet, please.