5 Ways Your Morning Coffee Habit Actually Makes You Healthier

Coffee: It's the only thing I actually care about when I wake up every morning. I, for one, am not a morning person at all. The idea of waking up early, getting in a work-out, having breakfast, getting ready and heading to work sounds great in theory, but it can be a challenge in reality, especially every morning.

Regardless of waking up early or late, I have to have my caffeine in the morning. Whether it's a cup of tea, a latte from the coffee shop across the street or coffee from my Keurig, it's the only thing that turns me from Cruella de Vil to my normal self.

I feel like sometimes it's bad for my health, but after doing some research, I found that coffee in the morning is actually a pretty healthy way to start the day. Don't believe me? Read on.

1. Coffee is a good source of antioxidants.

Scientists have found over 1,000 antioxidants in coffee beans that are unprocessed. After processing these beans, they found hundreds more! These antioxidants are vital for our bodies as they help fight inflammation, which low-key can cause arthritis and different types of cancers.

Additionally, they help us at the lowest level starting with our cells. By protecting our cells from damage, it keeps us healthy longer. Antioxidants in our body also means cleansing our system.

That's why the minute our lips touch the coffee to take a sip, we instantly have to go to the bathroom. Don't be embarrassed, it happens to all of us and it's a good thing!

2. While our liver hates alcohol, it LOVES coffee.

Our livers work as a filter for our blood in our bodies. It's filled with enzymes that essentially process and breakdown the chemicals in our blood that flows everywhere in us.

When we go overboard with our alcohol, our liver enzymes are elevated, resulting in damage and inflammation over a period of time. Because coffee is a form of an antioxidant, when it's in our blood stream, our liver enzymes are much lower.

Basically, our liver doesn't have to work as hard to filter our blood since the coffee is already doing it.

3. Coffee can make us feel happier.

When we wake up in the morning, majority of us are groggy and still tired. A cup of coffee in the morning can change that. Dopamine is a compound that works as a transmitter from our brain that ultimately makes us feel happy and be productive.

Studies have shown that coffee increases the production of dopamine in our systems. Who doesn't want to be happy and productive?!

4. The smell and taste of coffee in the morning relieves stress.

Sometimes we dread waking up and dealing with work or that awful exam coming up. Because of that feeling, we naturally feel stressed at times in the morning.

Turns out, when you smell and taste coffee in the morning, it lowers our stress levels. Researchers found that coffee in our system changes our brain proteins that are tied to stress. It doesn't necessarily mean we feel less stressed overall, just the stress related to being sleep deprived. Less stress is always a good thing.

5. Coffee improves our fitness.

Everyone says coffee makes us hyper right? Is it necessarily being hyper or a boost of energy? A report found when we drink coffee, it doubles the number of fatty acids in our blood. When we work out, these fatty acids are absorbed and burnt by our muscles for fuel.

This saves our carb levels at the beginning of our workouts, and ultimately lets our bodies use our stored energy for the intense portion of our fitness.

So there you have it, folks. We all say we want to be happier and healthier. No matter what you try, it could probably be that you just need a cup of coffee in the morning.