Every morning, I hand-brew coffee for my wife and me. As freshly ground beans meet hot water, their rich aroma fills the air, gently awakening my senses before the first sip even touches my lips. It’s a ritual I cherish—a quiet pleasure that often carries into the afternoon with another cup.
Coffee is more than a comforting daily ritual. How you brew it, when you drink it, and what you pair it with may all affect your health. Enjoyed thoughtfully, coffee can offer more than a moment of pleasure; however, if drunk at the wrong time or alongside an unbalanced diet, it may do more harm than good.
My Daily Coffee Routine
I usually drink two cups of coffee a day. The first comes with breakfast. I prefer drinking coffee in the morning, not just for a boost in alertness but for another reason. A 2025 study published in the European Heart Journal found that people who habitually drank coffee in the morning had lower risks of both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality than non-coffee drinkers.
Moreover, compared with those who drank coffee throughout the day, morning coffee drinkers had a much lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
In the afternoon, if I feel a little sluggish, I sometimes have another cup of coffee, but I don’t always need that second cup. People respond differently to caffeine—some find that even a small cup of coffee after noon keeps them awake until midnight, while others can enjoy an afternoon cup and still sleep soundly at night. Ultimately, whether to drink coffee in the afternoon depends on your caffeine sensitivity and how it affects your sleep.
Coffee may also benefit brain health. A study published in JAMA found that higher caffeinated coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function. The greatest benefits were observed among people who drank about two to three cups of caffeinated coffee a day.
Check How Coffee Affects Your Medications
Coffee can interfere with the absorption of certain drugs or interact with them, so you shouldn’t take them with coffee at breakfast.
For example, levothyroxine, a medication used to treat hypothyroidism, should usually be taken on an empty stomach with plain water; wait 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast or coffee to avoid reduced absorption. Alendronate, a medication used to treat osteoporosis, must also be taken with plain water, and food and coffee should be avoided for at least 30 minutes afterward.
In addition, certain antibiotics can slow caffeine breakdown by inhibiting the liver enzymes that metabolize it. This makes caffeine stay in your body longer and may increase the chance of heart palpitations, anxiety, or insomnia.
Therefore, it’s better to take medicine with plain water rather than with coffee. Always follow the instructions on the medicine package, and consult a doctor or pharmacist when needed.
Space Out Coffee and Iron-Rich Foods
Coffee can inhibit iron absorption, especially nonheme iron from plant sources. The polyphenols in coffee bind nonheme iron in plant-based foods, forming compounds the body can’t absorb and reducing iron uptake.
People with iron deficiency, those taking iron supplements, or anyone trying to increase their iron intake through diet should pay particular attention to when they drink coffee. It is best to wait one to two hours between drinking coffee and eating an iron-rich meal or taking an iron supplement.
However, people with normal iron levels don’t need to worry much about occasionally enjoying a cup of coffee after a meal.
Coffee Does Not Sober You Up
Drinking a cup of coffee after drinking alcohol won’t help you sober up. While coffee’s caffeine may make you feel more alert, it does not speed up alcohol metabolism or restore reaction time and judgment.
In fact, the feeling of being “more awake” can be misleading. People may mistakenly believe they are completely sober and make poor decisions, such as thinking they are fit to drive or operate machinery. This can be dangerous and increase the risk of accidents.
Watch What Goes Into Your Cup
Some people find black coffee too bitter and prefer the sweet, creamy taste of 3-in-1 instant coffee. You don’t need to avoid it altogether, but it’s worth watching the added sugar and fat. Some 3-in-1 coffee mixes contain substantial amounts of sugar and creamer. Drinking two or three sachets a day could mean you’re taking in more sugar and saturated fat than you intended.
Before buying, check the ingredient list and nutrition label, paying close attention to added sugar and saturated fat, and whether the product contains hydrogenated vegetable oil. If I see partially hydrogenated vegetable oil on the ingredient list, I won’t buy it.
Personally, I prefer unsweetened pour-over coffee, though I occasionally add a little fresh milk or honey for extra flavor. If you find black coffee too bitter, try unsweetened coffee with fresh milk, or gradually reduce sugar until you get used to a less sweet taste.
Buy Small Amounts and Store Them Well
When coffee beans go on sale, it may be tempting to buy a bigger bag or several packs to stock up. I’d like to remind everyone: “Buy only as much as you’ll drink.”
Once coffee beans are exposed to air, light, and moisture, their aroma and flavor begin to deteriorate. Moisture can also cause the beans to absorb water and clump together, and may even lead to mold growth or musty odors.
To preserve their freshness, store coffee beans in an airtight, opaque container in a cool, dry place. After opening, use them within two to three weeks.
Discard damp beans, beans that smell moldy, or beans that have any other unusual odor.
For me, the pleasure of coffee begins with the aroma and continues through the quiet moments spent sharing a cup with my wife. A few thoughtful habits help keep that daily pleasure enjoyable.
Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
