The Surprising Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee in the Morning

Coffee has seen its fair share of opinions over the years. But when you look at research from the past decade, the news is a lot more positive than you might think. In fact, coffee drinkers often have better long-term health outcomes than non coffee drinkers.

The time that you drink coffee may actually matter just as much as how much you drink. Drinking coffee in the morning seems to align better with your body’s natural rhythms. While cortisol levels are higher and your metabolism is awake, drinking coffee first thing puts you into that rhythm instead of working against it.

Late afternoon or evening coffee can disrupt sleep, and we all know how important sleep is for our overall health.

Here are 5 ways morning coffee may be good for you:

1. Coffee Helps You Feel More Alert (Naturally)

So this one is pretty obvious. Coffee helps you wake-up as it contains caffeine, which stimulates your central nervous system.

It can help improve your focus, concentration, and reaction times. Your morning cup of coffee can give you that boost you need to start the day, particularly if it's going to be a busy one.

2. Coffee Is Loaded with Antioxidants

Coffee is one of the richest sources of antioxidants in the modern diet.

Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by inflammation and our everyday environmental stress. Over time, that protection will help support heart health and overall wellbeing.

Whenever you're wondering if coffee is good for you, try to remember that coffee is packed full of antioxidants. These are natural plant-based compounds that offer impressive benefits outside of caffeine. 

3. Coffee May Improve Heart Health

We’ve heard stories for years about how coffee might be bad for our hearts. But it turns out that moderate coffee consumption is actually linked to a lower risk of certain heart conditions.

Morning coffee drinkers seem to benefit the most. Though more research is needed to be sure, some believe that because coffee doesn’t disrupt sleep cycles, people have better sleep quality that can lead to improved cardiovascular health.

As always, moderation is key. Drinking a few cups in the morning is very different from drinking coffee continuously through the day.

4. Drinking Coffee Can Give You A Little Metabolic Boost

Coffee can slightly increase your metabolic rate, meaning your body can burn energy more efficiently. While coffee isn’t going to suddenly transform your physique overnight. It can support an active lifestyle when you pair it with healthy nutrition and exercise.

Some people even feel less hungry after coffee, which is why some people prefer it to breakfast.

5. Coffee Could Support Brain Health

Studies have shown coffee drinkers have a lower risk of cognitive decline later in life. Caffeine can actually have protective effects on the brain and research indicates that regular coffee consumption can support memory over time.

Drink Coffee in Moderation as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle

As with everything, drinking coffee comes with potential downsides. But if you keep a few things in mind, it can become a benefit to your health, rather than a hindrance. 

• Drink your coffee in the morning. Caffeine can kill your sleep quality if you drink it too late in the day.
• Moderate your coffee intake. Around 2–3 cups per day is ideal for most people. 
• Be careful with additives. Sugar, syrup, and whipped cream can really pile on the calories.
• And stay hydrated. Coffee doesn’t replace water in your diet, however it can help aid hydration.

So is coffee good for you in the morning?

If you’re an adult, then coffee is definitely an addition to a healthy diet. Not only can coffee improve your alertness and help you wake up but it can also provide antioxidants, improve your heart health, and may even improve your brain health over time.

Coffee doesn’t have to be unhealthy, and can be enjoyed guilt free.