Since coffee’s origination, many have misconstrued it as an unhealthy beverage. That is far from true: coffee has become one of the world’s favorite beverages and contains numerous health benefits beyond caffeine consumption. Coffee boasts antioxidants and other beneficial compounds like potassium, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid magnesium polyphenols as essential nutrients that may boost cognitive performance or prevent diseases like diabetes Parkinson’s and heart disease.

Studies indicate that individuals who consume three to four cups of coffee per day are at lower risk for many diseases and live longer than those who don’t consume any coffee at all. Coffee consumption can help protect against liver disease, cirrhosis, cancer as well as lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.

Coffee’s antioxidants may reduce oxidative stress that leads to many diseases, and chlorogenic acid may even suppress COX-2 expression, an enzyme responsible for producing proinflammatory molecules and contributing to chronic illness. Furthermore, coffee may increase adrenaline levels while hastening fat cell breakdown for energy.

If you are planning on drinking more coffee, remember that moderation is key. Too much coffee can be detrimental if you are sensitive to caffeine; too much coffee could also impact sleep quality and cause stomach ache.

Additionally, coffee’s caffeine can lead to dehydration and raise blood pressure in certain individuals, so if you already take medications for these conditions it would be wise to limit consumption to two or three regular strength cups per day.

Studies show that even moderate coffee consumption may have positive health benefits. If you are uncertain if coffee consumption would be good for your wellbeing, speak to your healthcare provider and choose low-sugar varieties as sugar added can quickly add calories; consider alternatives like green tea or fruit juice that provide similar health advantages without extra caloric intake.