Millions of people turn to coffee as part of their morning or afternoon rituals; it can also provide numerous health advantages. Studies have linked moderate coffee consumption with decreased risks for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver cancer as well as Parkinson’s disease depression and Alzheimer’s.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that those with heart conditions or caffeine sensitivities may not tolerate too much caffeinated beverages at once; and even those with healthy hearts should limit themselves to four or five cups per day as too much can lead to jitters, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.

Apart from reducing your coffee intake, it’s also worth remembering that for optimal nutrition and wellbeing, drinks without milk, sugar or other additives may be most nourishing and advantageous. When your favorite drink contains dairy and sugar as major contributors of calories, any benefits from coffee beans themselves become lost due to excess cals from these sources.

By adding milk and sugar, adding over 200 calories could quickly add up in one cup – something experts do not advise doing. A cup of coffee without added sugar has less than 100 calories; for those who like their drinks a little sweeter, try switching to non-dairy creamers as an alternative solution.

Instead of opting for dairy- and sugar-laden coffee options, it is wise to look for organic and sustainably sourced alternatives such as Purely Becca which is recommended by Eat This, Not That as one that offers “no added sugar and made with premium beans”.

Lifeboost coffee, according to NY Mag, features low acidity levels that will not disturb your stomach. For maximum potential health effects of coffee consumption, beans that have been grown at higher altitudes offer greater levels of polyphenols that act as antioxidants and have been linked with reduced mortality rates.

Keep in mind, though, that many studies linking coffee with health benefits are associational – not causal. Therefore it may be due to other factors such as diet, exercise or social interactions causing the results of these studies. But given evidence linking coffee with heart disease prevention and type 2 diabetes prevention can still make a strong case – opt for black java for maximum benefits!