It's been a while since we last reported on it...and the jury's showing no signs of movement. But now it appears that for a place in a healthy lifestyle, coffee is much more than a drink. This being Monday morning, we feel this is eminently newsworthy.

The smell of coffee has a life of its own. I know people who turn their nose up at the drink itself, but happily breathe in the aroma of freshly-ground beans until they need to be dragged off the ceiling. Now neuroscientists have an explanation. It seems that with rats, the smell of coffee can change the operation of genes related to the stress of sleep deprivation.

In other words, it perks you up when you're tired. Hold the front page. But bearing in mind that this is merely from the smell, before the caffeine get into your bloodstream, it's a fascinating case for coffee aromatherapy.

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Image: DeaPeaJay