New research suggests that drinking at least three cups of coffee a day can help reduce mortality risk, particularly from stroke and heart disease.

"It is important to acknowledge factors which might have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease mortality," researcher Doutor Antonio Vaz Carneiro, said in a news release. "Moderate coffee consumption could play a significant role in reducing cardiovascular disease mortality risk which would impact health outcomes and healthcare spending across Europe."

The research was based on two 2014 meta-analyses suggesting an association between coffee consumption and reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The findings suggested that drinking anywhere between three to four cups of coffee per day is associated with an approximate 25 percent reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes when compared to consuming none or less than two cups a day.

However, it's important to note how the study's results differed basted on varying populations, suggesting that lower or higher amounts of coffee may benefit certain groups over others. (For instance, two cups a day may provide the greatest protection for a Japanese population while three cups a day is better for populations in the United States and the United Kingdom.)

"It is important to acknowledge factors which might have a protective effect against CVD mortality. Moderate coffee consumption could play a significant role in reducing CVD mortality risk which would impact health outcomes and healthcare spending across Europe," added Professor Doutor Antonio Vaz Carneiro of the Faculdade de Medicine da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.

The exact link between coffee consumption and lessened cardiovascular disease mortality risk is unclear at this time. However, areas of interest regarding new research and the topic include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties on coffee and the known association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes risk reduction as well as CVD mortality rate.

The study results highlight research presented at a Satellite Symposium held during the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation 2015 congress in Lisbon, Portugal, on the subject of "Coffee and CVD Mortality."