Your taste buds love it, your brain lights up under its influence and the comfort of sipping hot coffee on a chilly winter morning is undeniable. But did you know that coffee is a bona fide superfood? It's an antioxidant powerhouse that protects against numerous diseases and even extends your lifespan. A litany of new research into coffee reveals some intriguing facts that every arabica bean beverage imbiber should know.

Let’s take a look at the science. Nutrition experts at the John Hopkins School of Medicine have published extensive new research showing that regular coffee consumption is linked to numerous health benefits including lower risk of type 2 diabetes, a healthier liver, a reduced chance of depression and Alzheimer’s disease, a lower risk of some cancers as well as a decreased risk of heart disease. According to the data, coffee wants you to live a longer and happier life. But how does coffee work its mystical magic?

In new studies from Japan, Spain, France, Finland and Norway coffee was shown to be the single biggest antioxidant source in the Western diet, providing a whopping 64 percent of total antioxidant intake. That all comes from drinking just two to four cups per day. Each coffee gulp contains vitamins B2, B3, magnesium, potassium and over 1,000 different antioxidants including polyphenols and hydrocinnamic acids that hunt down and eradicate free radicals lurking in the body.

How should you drink your coffee to maximize its nutritional benefits? Well, skip the calorie-loaded syrupy Frappucinos. Opt instead for a naturally sweet Americano or espresso shot (a cup of coffee alone contains less than five calories) made with fresh roasted specialty-grade single-origin coffee. Find a local roaster with top-notch beans, a barista with silky espresso skills and get ready to embark on a delectably healthy coffee adventure.

John is the founder of Roastee Toastee Coffee, which provides super premium coffee beans to Fontaine Cafe in Old Town Alexandria.