Coffee can help keep you alert throughout the day and may provide health benefits depending on how it’s consumed.

One cup of coffee with sugar or cream can contain several teaspoons of added sugar in one sitting, leading to extra calories and higher blood glucose levels. A diet high in sugar has also been linked with an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer – breast, colon and pancreatic.

Addicted to coffee? Complement it with a pastry or dessert and you could increase both caloric intake and saturated fat consumption, especially since sweet treats contain calories, sugar, and saturated fat that could raise both your triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

People typically associate coffee with sweet snacks, yet this doesn’t need to be the case. Selecting healthy options instead will lower caloric and saturated fat intake while keeping you full for longer.

Coffee is generally considered an excellent beverage choice. According to research, moderate coffee consumption – up to two to five cups daily – may help lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, ParkinsonaEUR(tm)s disease, AlzheimeraEUR(tm)s, liver disease and endometrial cancer. If consumed too frequently though, your risk for heart disease and depression increases exponentially.

Some of the benefits of coffee lie in its antioxidants and plant-based chemicals called polyphenols that it contains. Coffee polyphenols may help lower risks associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and ParkinsonaEUR(tm).

Coffee’s caffeine contains many healthful benefits beyond simply awakening you in the morning; not only can it waken you up, but it can help stimulate and focus the brain as well as reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes and protect against dementia and AlzheimeraEUR(tm)s disease.

Homesley recommended drinking filtered coffee because it removes some compounds that may lead to stomach upset or an increase in cholesterol levels, according to her research. Espresso may aggravate symptoms of gastrointestinal distress such as acid reflux. It’s wise to consume coffee on an empty stomach in order to prevent unplanned hunger and weight gain that might otherwise arise; especially if sensitive to its stimulating effects.