So, what’s your preference? A cup of coffee first thing in the morning (or several cups throughout the morning) or a later afternoon or evening pick-me-up to see you through until bedtime? There’s no right or wrong answer per se, and everyone has their own habits for when they enjoy a good cup of coffee. But if you’re at all interested in the health benefits of a cup of Joe, you may want to rethink your coffee-drinking patterns, as new research suggests that the morning is the most beneficial time to consume your coffee if you want to lower certain health risks. 

Published in the European Heart Journal, this new study out of Tulane University analyzed the timing of drinking coffee, rather than the quantity consumed, among 40,000 adults. Those who drank coffee in the morning were 16% less likely to die of any cause and 31% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not drink coffee. Interestingly, these positive health benefits appeared to dissipate for coffee drinkers who consumed coffee in the afternoon or throughout the day. The positive effect was most pronounced in coffee drinkers who consumed at least 2-3 cups in the morning. The effects were less when only 1 cup of coffee was consumed. The reasons for this health effect are not clear, though researchers hypothesize that because coffee has an impact on our sleep and circadian rhythms, which is connected to our production of melatonin, cortisol and inflammation (all relevant to heart health) the morning consumption, rather than later in the day, is more beneficial for heart health. However, this is just conjecture, and more research is needed to discern the reasons behind the positive health effects of a morning cup of coffee. So pour yourself a mug and read more here and here. 

We’ve previously cited a range of research covering the health benefits (and risks) of coffee. One additional research study of note comes from a new analysis published in Nature Microbiology. This study found that coffee drinkers, whether with or without caffeine, appear to have an abundance of a specific gut bacterium that has antioxidant properties and appears to support a healthy and diverse gut microbiome. Moreover, the polyphenols in coffee act as a prebiotic, promoting good bacteria in your gut and aiding in digestion. So support your stomach, drink up, and find out more here.

And if you’re looking to expand your usual coffee menu, there are some newer recommendations for how to shake things up. First, continuing the theme of supporting a healthy gut, Very Well Health recommends you try “sparkling coffee,” which combines coffee with sparkling mineral water and a splash of citrus. Instead of the milk and sugar you may load into your cup, this is a healthy alternative that keeps you hydrated and energized without the extra sugar or calories you may usually add. Alternatively, if you’re looking to consume a bit of a sweet coffee treat, consider “Coffee Milk.” As the official drink of Rhode Island (who would have guessed that?), coffee milk uses a coffee syrup (which you can buy premade or make yourself) to sweeten a glass of milk and give you a bit of a jolt along the way (a recipe is included in this Washington Post article). Finally, if you really can’t get enough to satisfy your coffee habit, you may want to try a new game for your phone called “Coffee Good, Coffee Great,” which allows you to put your barista skills to the test!