Coffee: Is it good for you or not?

People love coffee.

Whether it’s hot or cold, served black or mixed with all kinds of flavors, drinking it is a ritual people look forward to every day.

With so much consumption, it would be great if coffee was healthy.

The great news is that it is: coffee is actually pretty good for you. Regular brewed coffee gives you antioxidants with benefits that have been linked with lower risk of some serious health conditions. Moderate coffee consumption—three to five cups per day—can reduce your overall mortality rate and more. It also lowers your chances of major conditions like:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stroke
• Respiratory disease
• Cognitive decline

However, with the positive often comes the negative. Some of the properties of coffee can affect certain groups adversely. Specifically:

Caffeine

One eight-ounce coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine. People who have trouble sleeping or controlling their blood pressure may want to limit their intake. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also advised to limit or avoid caffeine.

Excessive sugar

Any of the chain-store drinks that end with “-accino” contain sugary syrups and sweetened milk or milk alternatives. Some of these beverages top out at more than 100 grams of sugar. To put it in perspective, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommendation for an adult is no more than 30 grams of added sugars per day.

Cafestol and kahweol oil

Unfiltered coffee, like French press or Turkish coffee, contain these oils. They have been associated with a raised LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol.

By making smart choices and enjoying in moderation, coffee can remain a feel-good habit that delivers more than just a caffeine boost.

Try these recipes for some of the trendy ways to drink coffee.