Coffee has long been part of many people’s morning and afternoon rituals, offering natural stimulants like caffeine to increase alertness, focus and mood. Research also suggests it could reduce heart disease risk as well as cognitive decline and cancer protection; yet is coffee really that healthy?

Answering that question can be complex. It largely depends on the type of coffee and how it’s prepared; how brewed can affect both acid levels in a drink as well as nutrition content; top-of-the-line coffees contain premium ingredients while the healthiest drinks have low acid levels and no added sugars.

Coffee’s overall impact on health has long been associated with its chlorogenic acids, which have been proven to lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and promote gut health. Research also links it with reduced risks of liver disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s – though more investigation needs to take place.

Coffee’s other main benefit lies in its ability to protect against tooth decay. This is possible thanks to compounds found in it like nicotinic acid and trigonelline that kill off bacteria that causes cavities. Furthermore, tannins found in coffee may prevent formation of glycation end-products responsible for much of our aging process.

Although coffee may provide numerous health benefits, it is important to remember that most studies on its benefits have been observational in nature and only show correlations – not cause and effect relationships. Positive results seen may be attributable to other factors like people who drink coffee tending to exercise more, eat healthier diets or engage in activities which improve overall health such as physical exercise or participation in physical therapy sessions.

Not surprisingly, too much coffee consumption may also bring with it some health concerns. For example, too much coffee consumption may lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn) in certain individuals and interact with some medications, like clopidogrel, used as a blood thinner. Furthermore, excessive coffee can deplete potassium stores from your body resulting in muscle problems and fatigue.

If you enjoy coffee, be mindful when adding too much sugar. To manage its impact on your health, speak with a doctor. He or she may recommend lowering caffeine consumption to 400 milligrams daily – equivalent to four or five 8-ounce cups of regular coffee – so as to enjoy all its benefits without experiencing its downsides. Also choose lower acidic options by using cold brew methods or choosing dark roast varieties; these will allow you to experience all its healthful advantages without incurring negative side effects associated with too much caffeine consumption.