How to Make Your Daily Coffee a Healthier Choice

Coffee is more than a morning pick-me-up. Alongside caffeine, which can boost alertness and concentration, it contains plant compounds and antioxidants that may be associated with a range of health benefits.

What goes into the cup matters, too. Keeping added sugar, sweetened syrups and rich toppings to a minimum can help prevent a regular coffee habit from becoming a source of excess sugar and calories.

How much you drink—and when—also deserves attention. Caffeine can disrupt sleep or leave some people feeling jittery, so adjusting your intake to your own sensitivity is more useful than treating another person’s routine as a guide.

For those who enjoy the taste but find caffeine affects their rest, decaffeinated coffee is an option. It retains many of coffee’s plant compounds while providing much less caffeine.

The potential benefits are not a reason to drink more coffee or start drinking it if you do not already. A simple cup can fit into a balanced diet, but it is no substitute for adequate sleep, varied meals and regular physical activity.