Coffee consumption has been linked with lower risk of death, regardless of its sweetening level, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers followed 171,616 people over seven years and observed those who consumed between one and three cups a day had a 30 percent reduced risk of dying compared to those who didn’t drink any at all. Unsweetened coffee offered greater overall health benefits; however, adding even small amounts of sugar may still provide benefits.

Roasting beans exposes them to heat and can break down health-boosting compounds found naturally within them, including chlorogenic acid and antioxidants that may help combat free radicals linked to aging and disease. Light roasts typically have higher concentrations of chlorogenic acid and antioxidants compared to dark ones, offering protection from free radicals associated with free radical damage and free radical-induced diseases. For optimal health benefits from your coffee beverage consumption, opt for black brew without cream or sugar; although some individuals prefer adding flavorings or creamy creamers which add added sugars or flavors – although this approach might also provide health benefits when added sugars are added by way of syrups or creamers loaded up front!

Problematic sweeteners like vanilla syrup contain up to 80 calories and 20 grams of sugar in 2 tablespoons alone! Luckily, there are natural plant-based sugar alternatives such as cinnamon or cocoa powder which provide irresistibly warm flavors without adding more fat and calories to your beverage.

Sugary coffee lovers should opt for unsweetened varieties when possible; however, even this might not satisfy some taste buds. You can easily enhance its flavor with different milk types – almond and soy milk are all packed full of nutritional benefits that could make their way into your cup of java even healthier!

Finally, it’s wise to read the label of your coffee drink to check for hidden sugars. Many brands include natural sweeteners such as stevia in their products; however, not all do. Aceulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener linked to weight gain and health concerns such as liver damage, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease should also be kept an eye out for. Thankfully, however, its usage in coffee has reduced over the years. Actually, most coffee companies have started offering beverages sweetened with stevia as part of a healthy alternative beverage option, so it may be worthwhile exploring. A general guideline suggests keeping your sweetener to no more than 1 teaspoon for optimal health benefits.