While research studies and analyses continue to send mixed signals about the health effects of coffee, the general sense that coffee is an essential, pleasurable, and protective beverage continues. With more than 2 billion cups of coffee served worldwide each day, the demand and desire for coffee remain strong. A recent post on LiveStrong summarized the benefits of coffee as part of a healthy aging routine, including studies showing an association with a reduced risk of dying, and potentially positive effects related to cardiovascular health (though another recent study suggests that for those with severely high blood pressure, drinking 2 or more cups a day could raise your mortality risk substantially). And because of the potentially disruptive effects of caffeine, it’s generally considered unwise to go above 4-5 small cups per day. While many of us seek out coffee precisely because of the energizing effects of caffeine, a recent post in The Conversation reminds us that the extra jolt you get from a cup of coffee is really a borrowed burst of energy, temporarily putting off drowsiness that will eventually need to be addressed. As the author notes, “The debt you owe the caffeine always eventually needs to be repaid, and the only real way to repay it is to sleep.” 

Regarding how to drink your coffee, does a splash of milk make a difference? According to new research published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, that splash of milk may be valuable in providing a protein to combine with the antioxidants naturally found in coffee. According to researchers at the University of Copenhagen, those antioxidants and milk proteins combine to create an anti-inflammatory effect that would be valuable for tamping down inflammation, which is implicated in a host of serious and chronic diseases as you age. While more work needs to be done in this area, you may want to stir in a bit of milk (but leave out the sugar) the next time you order your cup of Joe. For more on this research, place your order and click here. And if you’re wondering whether sipping that first cup on an empty stomach is doing yourself harm, a recent article in The New York Times suggests that there’s no need to worry- whatever possible harms are outweighed by the many health benefits derived from coffee.

Finally, if you’ve never been fully satisfied with the cup you create each morning, you may want to take a deep dive into this recent post on The Head Butler, outlining all you need to know about making a great cup of coffee, from purchasing beans to brewing it to perfection. If you drink coffee every morning and value the health benefits (and buzz) you receive each day, you might as well indulge in a satisfying taste on your tongue. So grab your mug and read here. And for a little afternoon “coffee” treat, you may want to check out this effusive praise for the Italian candy known as “Pocket Coffee.”