Many cultures around the world appreciate having coffee with their meals, not only as an enjoyable habit but also because it brings many health benefits. Caffeine in coffee has many health advantages including helping keep people alert and energized throughout their day as well as improving memory, mood and cognitive function. Caffeine works by blocking receptors for an adenosine brain chemical and increasing levels of dopamine, serotonin and dopamin; neurotransmitters that help regulate sleep cycles and energy levels respectively.

Coffee can also aid digestion by increasing stomach acid and bile secretion, making food easier to digest by breaking down proteins and fats, as well as helping prevent heartburn that often occurs after drinking acidic beverages on an empty stomach. Unfortunately, however, many people opt out of drinking coffee post dinner due to concerns it will aggravate their digestion or worsen heartburn symptoms.

However, studies have proven that most of these fears are unwarranted: coffee after dinner has actually been found to assist digestion and can even help people gain more nutrients from their meals by following certain simple rules.

First and foremost, make sure that you are getting enough fiber in your diet. Consuming more dietary fiber will reduce the likelihood of constipation and bloating occurring.

Second, it’s important to make sure you aren’t drinking too much coffee. Too much caffeine may lead to digestive issues and even insomnia in some individuals; to prevent this from happening it’s advisable to only have a few cups a day so the caffeine doesn’t disrupt sleep while still reaping all of the beneficial compounds found within beans.

Coffee contains many beneficial compounds, including polyphenols. These plant-derived molecules function both as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants to combat oxidative stress and help protect against diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Polyphenols can also be found in tea and berries.

To get the most out of your coffee experience, it is best to brew it yourself rather than purchasing pre-packaged varieties. Also avoid sweeteners such as sugar and artificial sweeteners; opt instead for plain black coffee with just milk or water and cinnamon or turmeric added for flavor and health benefits. For optimal results opt for organic fair trade certified varieties as these will ensure higher-quality results.