While some people may not be proud of their caffeine addiction, a recent study published in the journal Breast Cancer Research indicates that women who consume the highest amounts of coffee have the lowest risk of developing estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer.

The study's findings showed that out of a group of 6,000 women between the ages of 50 and 74, those who drank five or more cups of coffee per day had up to a 57 percent reduced risk of developing this type of cancer.

"Before I would go to tell my neighbors to start drinking more coffee than they already do, I would like to know what is the biological mechanism at work here, and that's not yet clear," said lead researcher Per Hal.

Although the scientists have not discovered what contributes to this reduced risk, some say they believe that compounds called phytoestrogens found in coffee affect estrogen in the body.

According to the National Coffee Association of U.S.A, American coffee consumers drink an average of about three cups daily.