Many people drink coffee every day for an energy boost. There are different kinds of coffee in coffee shops, such as latte, mochaccino, cappuccino and fresh brew. No matter how it's served, coffee is truly a popular global drink. But there have been reports coffee is not good for us. It has been blamed for problems such as increased blood pressure. It has also been linked to low birth weight or miscarriage in pregnant women. On the other hand, in addition to increased strength, higher alertness and improved short-term memory, coffee seems to have some other benefits. Doctors found regular coffee drinkers had a lower risk of developing gallstones and type II diabetes. It's not clear whether it is best to avoid that daily cup of coffee or, in light of the evidence, enjoy it in moderation. Elaine Kwong Yi-lee From the Editor Thank you Elaine for your very well thought-out letter. There seem to be so many conflicting views on all sorts of things it's a wonder we eat or drink anything at all. Today's world is a global village, and people come into contact with all sorts of food and drink that would not normally be part of their diet. Also they lead entirely different lifestyles from the people who originally consumed that product. It all makes for very interesting choices but can raise some unexpected issues. Susan, Editor