5 Reasons to Begin Your Work Day With a Cup of Coffee

Consumed by approximately 83% of the U.S. adult population, coffee is one of the country's most popular beverages. Whether you prefer it black or with cream, you can't go wrong with a hot cup of Joe in the morning. It's the perfect way to start your work day, as it offers the five following benefits.

#1) Increased Productivity

You'll benefit from increased productivity by starting your work day with a cup of coffee. An MIT study cited by Monster found that workers who take coffee breaks are more productive than their counterparts who don't drink this otherwise popular beverage. Regardless of the industry in which you work, starting your day with a cup of coffee can improve your productivity levels.

#2) Fights Fatigue

Perhaps the most common reason cited for drinking coffee in the morning is to fight fatigue. Because of its high content of caffeine, it wakes you up to combat fatigue. Just remember to choose traditional, non-decaff coffee. While decaffeinated coffee still contains some caffeine, it's not enough to fight fatigue.

#3) Lower Risk of Heart Disease

No, that's not a typo. Drinking coffee as part of your normal morning routine will lower your risk of heart disease. This is important because statistics show that more than 610,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, making it the world's leading cause of death. It's unclear how coffee protects against heart disease, but numerous studies have reinforced this theory.

#4) Lower Risk of Diabetes

In addition to protecting against heart disease, coffee has also been shown to protect against diabetes. Researchers say that people who drink coffee on a daily basis are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than their counterparts who refrain from drinking coffee. The general belief is that coffee helps regulate blood sugar levels, thereby protecting against insulin resistance and diabetes.

#5) It's Versatile

Finally, coffee is a versatile beverage that can be prepared in dozens of different ways. Not everyone enjoys the natural flavor of coffee, and that's okay. You can easily change the flavor according to your preference by adding different creams and sugars. A hazelnut cream, for instance, will add a distinct nutty flavor to your cream. You can also find chocolate cream, which as the name suggests, make your coffee taste like chocolate.