Coffee offers numerous health advantages, but drinking too much coffee should never replace water in your diet. If you experience acid reflux, sleep disorders, anxiety issues or are sensitive to caffeine then it may be prudent to cut back or limit how often you have coffee.

But if you don’t experience any adverse reactions to caffeine, regular brewed coffee can give a daily energy boost and provide essential vitamins like potassium and antioxidants to combat disease. Coffee not only contains caffeine as the popular energy boost molecule; it also contains polyphenols which act as anti-inflammatory plant compounds to protect against heart disease, diabetes, dementia, liver cancer and even Alzheimer’s.

Coffee is an excellent source of magnesium, an element essential to healthy blood sugar levels. Studies have revealed that drinking 1-2 cups of regular coffee each day may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes while improving both blood sugar and insulin control, as well as increasing bone density.

Researchers conducted an in-depth analysis of 85 prior studies that looked at coffee consumption and mortality rates in relation to smoking or alcohol intake and found that people who consumed three or more cups per day were more likely to reach old age without serious illness or serious cognitive, physical and mental problems.

The authors of the study suggest that coffee may provide numerous health benefits due to its methylxanthine content, thought to act as an adenosine receptor antagonist and antioxidants such as chlorogenic acids that protect eye damage; plus caffeine which acts as an alkaloid inhibiting serotonin excretion via enzyme breakdown. Furthermore, coffee contains phenolic acids which fight oxidative stress while simultaneously lowering cholesterol.

Coffee’s soluble fiber can also promote digestive health and help alleviate constipation, making this beverage an invaluable aid to health. To make sure that the beans you purchase for your cup are pesticide- and contaminant-free, organically grown beans with fair trade certification or shade grown beans should be your preference to ensure optimal results for both yourself and your health.

Purists looking for maximum benefits should sip their coffee without milk or sweeteners should drink their cup black, without the addition of fats like dairy milk or coconut milk. Fat can reduce some of its positive benefits; therefore nut or coconut milk with reduced or no fat may be suitable alternatives if desired. For those preferring sweeter brews, add natural sweeteners like Stevia as sweetener instead.