We love the way coffee tastes, but is it good for you as well? Surprisingly, there are a number of health benefits (as well as a few concerns) derived from your morning cup of java. How much coffee should you drink? Is one kind better than another? We've put together a quick guide to managing your health without giving up your cup.

The average cup of coffee contains a variety of compounds and components, none more popular than caffeine. It is estimated that a cup of coffee contains between 90 to 150 milligrams of caffeine, depending upon the type of bean as well as the processing and roasting methods. Drip coffee for example, contains slightly more caffeine per cup than does the brewed variety and those stout Robusta beans are considerably higher in caffeine content than the tastier Arabica variety.

But caffeine isn't the only noteworthy component of your cup of coffee. Coffee also contains a selection of flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds that are commonly found in fruits, vegetables and certain other foods and drinks. These flavonoids have antioxidant potential and can provide a number of serious health benefits.

So is coffee really good for you? And how much coffee should you have? Let's find out, shall we?

Caffeine is that little component that helps you start your day. It is a natural stimulant and can be found in chocolate, tea, soft drinks and yes, your morning cup of coffee. How much caffeine varies, depending upon a number of factors.

Statistically, Robusta beans contain considerably more caffeine than the slightly more expensive Arabica bean, about twice as much to be exact. Most grocery store brands are a blend of Arabica and Robusta, with a direct correlation between the price of the coffee and the quantity of Robusta. Cheaper coffees mean more Robustas and thus, more caffeine. Coffees with more Arabica beans on the other hand will have a lower caffeine content.

Caffeine is also affect by the roast of the bean. Generally, the darker the roast, the less caffeine you'll find since roasting causes the oils in the beans to evaporate. Unfortunately, those oils also contain much of the bean's flavor, a trade off most coffee drinkers would say is far from fair.

The brewing process is another factor that affects the caffeine content of your coffee. Coffee that is brewed for example, contains about ten milligrams less than coffee prepared through a drip process.

Ingesting caffeine causes a slight increase in your heart rate and increases mental alertness, explaining why so many of us need our morning cup to get going. consumers who drink caffeinated drinks on a regular basis may experience mild withdrawal symptoms once the caffeine is removed. Headaches, irritability and tiredness are all common symptoms.

While the debate continues over the pros and cons of drinking coffee, most scientists agree that coffee in moderation is just fine.

Taking into account the caffeine content of your preferred brand, anything under four cups a day is considered to be moderate. More than four cups per day and you'll likely begin to notice a jittery, nervous feeling due to the large quantity of caffeine in your system.

To maintain the increased alertness without exceeding your four cups, try spacing your coffee drinking over the course of the day. Drinking it all at once will give you a boost in the morning but leave you high and dry in those sleepy afternoon hours.

Because of all the caffeine hype, many coffee drinkers have switched to a decaffeinated version hoping to limit the amount of caffeine from their daily java fix.

Unfortunately, many of the cheaper decaf brands use toxic chemicals to remove the caffeine from the beans. Coffee beans are soaked in chemicals like methylene chloride and ethyl acetate where the caffeine is absorbed. Although not yet proven, scientific studies suggest that methylene chloride can cause central nervous system depression and liver and renal dysfunctions, among other adverse conditions.

To eliminate this concern, look for decaffeinated coffee that utilizes the Swiss Water decaffeination process like the Java Roasters decaf beans. The Swiss Water process uses flavor-charged water to absorb the caffeine. This natural process leaves all the great coffee bean flavor without any of the harmful chemical side-effects.

Did you know that coffee is actually good for you? There are several health benefits that can be derived from drinking coffee on a regular basis, such as:

Your Metabolism - Studies show that regular doses of caffeinated coffee rev up your metabolism allowing you to burn more calories.

Your Heart - Those that drink coffee on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from heart disease than those who drink tea. Another interesting note? The more coffee the study subjects drank, the more their risk decreased!

Your Lungs - Asthma and allergy suffers can put an attack to rest by drinking caffeinated coffee.

Cancer - Studies have shown that regular coffee drinking can reduce the risk of colon and bladder cancer.

Your Mind - Coffee is an effective prevention tool against debilatating diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

While the health concerns of caffeinated coffee are few and far between, there are some things to note:

Caffeine does increase your heart rate, so limit your intake to four cups or less per day.

Caffeine is also mildly addictive so if you're cutting back your caffeine intake, do so slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and irritability.

People suffering from acid reflux and heartburn should limit their coffee intake as the natural acidity can aggravate these conditions.

Those with high blood pressure and anxiety disorders should also be wary of too much caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the heart rate as well as your level of alertness, two things people with these disorders likely want to avoid.