In the Netflix series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” Jerry Seinfeld drives around with colleagues such as Ricky Gervais (in a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000), Kristen Wiig (a 1964 Volvo), and Aziz Ansari (a souped-up Prevost tour bus), stopping along the way for cups of joe with jokes.

But coffee is no joke.

This beloved pick-me-up (Americans drink about 400 million cups a day) has many benefits. The newest seems to be in the battle of the bulge.

Researchers recently published a study in Scientific Reports that looked at coffee's effect on cells in a dish and on humans. They found that some components of caffeinated coffee help turn energy-storing white fat into energy-burning brown fat.

That leads to improved blood sugar control, lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and burning extra calories to promote weight loss.

Add that to the other recognized benefits of coffee, and you've got a cuppa goodness — so long as you don't load it up with sugary flavorings and full-fat dairy.

Three to four cups of black coffee (or with soy or almond milk) a day has been found to increase longevity, and some studies show that it can reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke, Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, uterine and liver cancer, cirrhosis, and gout.

For decaf or half-caf drinkers, there are still recognized benefits to your heart, brain, and liver from two to four cups daily.