Coffee has long been associated with numerous health benefits, such as lower risks of Type 2 diabetes and enhanced brain functioning. But is black coffee really healthier than its alternatives such as cappuccino or lattes?

An intriguing study recently revealed that black coffee contains significantly fewer calories, sugar and fat than other versions of the drink. This may come as a surprise; since black coffee does not include milk or sugar additions which raise its caloric count considerably when compared with caramel macchiato or vanilla lattes with their 120 cals per 8-ounce serving and 15gs of added sugar respectively.

Black coffee has many health benefits beyond being low in calories and fat content. Not only can it contain antioxidants that may protect against certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s, but researchers don’t yet know exactly why this effect occurs; although researchers suspect that coffee’s chlorogenic acid content might play a part. Furthermore, caffeine has also been linked with improved energy levels as well as suppression of hunger pangs.

Studies have demonstrated that drinking three to five cups of black coffee daily may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. But these benefits won’t be as strong if you add excessive sugar or saturated fats such as cream.

Drinking too much coffee may raise your blood pressure even further if you already have high blood pressure, making the condition even worse. Furthermore, it’s important to keep in mind that if you already suffer from heart disease or depression consult your physician prior to making coffee part of your regular regiment.

Keep in mind that when drinking black coffee without cream or sugar, and watch how many cups you drink. Consuming too much can cause health issues like heartburn and stomach upset.

Still, enjoying your morning cup of coffee can help those suffering from sleep disorders relax and unwind before bedtime. Just make sure not to overindulge, as overdoing it could result in anxiety, insomnia and an elevated heart rate. Black coffee offers many health advantages; to maximize these, however, avoid excessive intake or try other healthy alternatives like herbal tea or water instead. Try switching to dark roast instead of light roast, which has higher levels of polyphenols that may offer health benefits. And for those suffering from acid reflux, decaffeinated coffee may offer lower acidic levels than darker varieties of the beverage. Avoiding caffeine may help avoid heartburn and acid reflux-related health problems, and consult your physician first if experiencing symptoms of reflux before beginning a coffee regimen. Your physician can recommend an appropriate dosage, while also offering lifestyle tips to alleviate any associated discomfort.