It is a daily routine for millions of Italians - the morning cup of espresso brewed on the kitchen hob or downed swiftly in a cafe on the way to work.

But for years their favourite way of kick-starting the day has had a bad press - most recently when it was reported that doctors had told British Prime Minister Tony Blair to drink less coffee.

Now it seems the tide is turning. Forget the scare stories, says dietician Chiara Trombetti.

There is sound scientific reason to enjoy your morning espresso without worrying about the health effects.

Coffee can be good for you - the stronger, the better. Coffee contains tannin and antioxidants, which are good for the heart and arteries, Dr Trombetti says.

It can relieve headaches. It is good for the liver - and can help prevent cirrhosis and gallstones.

And the caffeine in coffee can reduce the risk of asthma attacks - and help improve circulation within the heart.

There is no denying that coffee is not for everyone. If you drink too much it can increase nervousness, and cause rapid heartbeat and trembling hands.

Pregnant women, heart patients, and anyone with a stomach ulcer are usually advised to avoid it.

And even Dr Trombetti says no one should drink more than three or four cups a day.

Many parents might be horrified at the thought.

But Dr Trombetti is adamant that a cup of milky coffee could make the ideal start for the next generation of coffee lovers - Italy's drowsy school kids - stimulating their brains ahead of a day that often lasts from 0830 until 1600.

每天早上在厨房的开水架上煮一杯浓咖啡或者在上班的路上钻进咖啡馆匆匆喝上一杯，这已经成为许许多多意大利人每天的例行公事。

但是很多年来，报纸上对他们所钟爱的这种开始一天生活的方式一直有负面的报道。最近的一次报道说，医生告诫英国首相托尼·布莱尔少喝咖啡。

现在看来情况正在发生变化。营养学家基娅拉·特龙贝蒂说，别理那些耸人听闻的报道。

有可靠的科学依据证明你完全可以在早上享受你的浓咖啡，不用担心它会影响身体健康。

咖啡对你有好处——而且越浓越好。特龙贝蒂说，咖啡中含有丹宁酸和抗氧化剂，对心脏和动脉有好处。

咖啡可以缓解头痛，对肝脏有好处——有助于防止肝硬化和胆结石。

咖啡中的咖啡因可以降低患哮喘的危险——促进心脏内循环。

无可否认，咖啡不一定适合每个人。如果你喝得太多的话，咖啡会加剧神经过敏，并引起心跳加速、双手发抖。

通常建议孕妇，心脏病患者和胃溃疡患者不要喝咖啡。

连特龙贝蒂博士都说每天喝咖啡不应该超过3－4杯。

许多家长可能会对这样的想法感到恐惧。

但是特龙贝蒂博士坚持认为一杯牛奶咖啡对于下一代咖啡爱好者--意大利众多爱瞌睡的学龄儿童来说是一个理想的开始，它会让孩子们的大脑从早上8点30到下午16点都充满活力。

down: 一口咽下（尤指液体）
have a bad press: 有负面的报道
the tide is turning: 情况正在发生变化
there is no denying that: 无可否认
drowsy: 瞌睡的，昏昏欲睡的