Drinking coffee every morning is a sacred ritual for many people. It gives them the energy to start their day as well as the boost they need through midday etc. Coffee often gets credit for waking us up, but it's also been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even a longer life. However, new research suggests that how you drink your coffee might determine whether you actually get these health benefits. While people have their own preferences of how they like their coffee, new research shows that having it a certain way can make it worse for your health, rather than helping you. Black Coffee for Better Health A recent study found that people who drank one to two cups of coffee daily had a 14% lower risk of dying compared to those who didn't drink coffee. But there's a catch: this was only true for individuals who drank their coffee black or with just small amounts of cream, milk, or sweeteners. Adding too many extra ingredients seemed to cancel out coffee's positive effects. Coffee Habits and Life Expectancy This study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, followed over 46,000 adults in the U.S. for about 10 years. Researchers wanted to see if there was a connection between how people drank coffee and their risk of death. At the beginning, participants filled out a survey about their diet for over 24 hours. From this, researchers estimated their usual coffee intake and noted if they added sweeteners or high-fat products. After tracking participants' health (including deaths from cancer, heart disease, and all other causes), the team found: Drinking one cup of coffee daily was linked to a 16% lower risk of death from any cause.Drinking two or three cups daily cuts this risk by 17%.Coffee drinkers also had a significantly lower risk (29–33%) of dying from heart disease.When looking at additives, people who drank black coffee or coffee with low amounts of added sugar and saturated fat had a 14% lower risk of overall mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers. "Low added sugar" meant less than 2.5 grams (about half a teaspoon) of sugar, syrup, or honey per 8 ounces. "Low saturated fat" meant less than 1 gram (about 5 tablespoons of 2% milk or 1 tablespoon of light cream/half-and-half) per 8 ounces. Why Additives Might Reduce Benefits Coffee contains over 100 different molecules, including polyphenols, which are likely responsible for many of its health benefits. Polyphenols are antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage. This makes the link between coffee and lower mortality "biologically plausible," as coffee is a major source of antioxidants for many. Adding sugar or saturated fats to your coffee doesn't necessarily destroy these polyphenols. Instead, a high intake of sugar and saturated fats in general is simply linked to worse heart health and a higher risk of death. Making the Most of Your Coffee Since this is the first study to specifically look at how coffee additives affect mortality risk, the evidence isn't yet strong enough for strict recommendations. However, a good general rule is to reduce your overall consumption of sugar and saturated fat. If you enjoy a little cream and sweetener in your coffee, don't worry too much. While black might be better, adding small amounts doesn't necessarily put you at increased risk. Regardless of additives, moderation is key. The health benefits of coffee tend to decrease after about two cups daily, and drinking too much can even be harmful. High doses of caffeine can cause anxiety, irregular heartbeats, and elevated blood pressure.