An everyday part of many morning routines, coffee is also part of many people’s health regimen. If you’re a frequent drinker of coffee, though, its impact could be of concern to you. Some experts advise up to six cups a day without experiencing adverse side effects; others warn too much coffee may interfere with sleep patterns and increase heart disease risk as well as diabetes and even cancer risks.

Researchers have recently concluded that those who consume three to five cups of caffeinated coffee daily are more likely to live longer than non-coffee drinkers, though most studies were observational in nature and could only demonstrate an association rather than any direct cause-and-effect relationships.

Coffee drinkers also tend to lower their risk of liver cancer, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions. Furthermore, coffee can aid mental health by improving mood and concentration. Furthermore, its rich source of nutrition like folic acid potassium and magnesium offers further advantages.

Coffee can have serious adverse health effects when overloaded with too much sugar – especially flavored syrups and creamers which contain lots of calories, fat and sodium. One teaspoon of added sugar equates to seven grams of carbohydrates; according to the American Heart Association this should only exceed 9 teaspoons for women and 13 for men daily.

Other considerations: Acidity is also key when selecting coffee; adding milk can help soften its acidic edge, while coffee itself acts as a diuretic, leading to more frequent peeing and possibly leading to dehydration. Caffeine may inhibit absorption of some vitamins and minerals so plan to take your supplements at least an hour prior or post consumption of your cup of joe.

If you suffer from glaucoma, epilepsy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heart palpitations it’s advisable to limit or avoid coffee consumption as it can interfere with absorption of antidepressant and antibiotic treatments for UTIs. Furthermore, coffee may worsen heart palpitations symptoms as well as induce anxiety, nervousness, headaches, gastrointestinal issues and trouble sleeping; but overall it should be safe – up to five cups can be part of a healthy diet plan.