Coffee has long been part of many people’s morning ritual and provides comforting pickup. Unfortunately, not all coffee habits are created equally: your choice of beans, sugar and brewing method can have a tremendous effect on how healthy your cup is; in fact, there are ways you can make sipping your beloved beverage even more beneficial than before!

The healthiest way to drink coffee is with nothing added – or black. If your tastebuds require something sweeter, natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit could work wonders; otherwise, consider opting for low-fat or unsweetened plant-based milks instead of full fat versions. When at a coffeehouse, opt for 8 ounce beverages as larger cups may contain up to 300 more calories!

Just before brewing your coffee, it is ideal to grind the beans yourself in order to preserve as many healthful compounds, particularly polyphenols, as possible. But preground isn’t necessarily bad either – what matters most is how finely ground your beans are: more polyphenols will end up in your cup this way; which explains why espresso, which requires such fine grinds, is one of the healthiest forms of coffee!

Origin is also an important consideration. A study published in Antioxidants showed that high-polyphenol coffee comes from higher altitude areas like Ethiopia, Central and South America; thus for optimal coffee experience it would be wise to choose beans from these regions.

Other considerations include brew type and temperature; you’ll achieve maximum extraction of polyphenols when using hot, but not boiling, water for your coffee brew – aim for between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit which falls just under the boiling point of 212.

Start your day right by having a cup of java first thing in the morning – its half-life increases when taken earlier and could help avoid energy slumps later. Make time to appreciate and savor every sip of coffee you take: sip slowly, breathe deeply of its aroma and observe its making process. Doing this could help maximize its benefits: studies have connected regular coffee consumption to lower risks of depression, Alzheimer’s and liver disease – not to mention greater mental clarity and overall better health! Too much caffeine can cause headaches, jitters and insomnia; to find more tips, check out How to Turn Coffee Into a Functional Beverage.