Coffee is a brewed beverage made from the roasted seeds of a shrub native to the Old World tropics. The beans are usually ground before brewing.

Many types of coffee drinks go hand-in-hand with additions that aren’t so healthy (like sweet flavored syrups, sugar, whipped cream and more). Regularly drinking these versions will contribute to weight gain.

1. It’s a Diuretic

Whenever you consume caffeine, you’re a little more likely to experience dehydration. This is because caffeine is a diuretic, and diuretics cause your body to lose water through the urine.

Because of this, some people believe that coffee and other caffeinated drinks make them dehydrated. However, the reality is that while coffee does cause you to pee more, it doesn’t actually lead to dehydration.

This is because your body absorbs most of the fluid that you drink after you’ve consumed it, and only some of the water is lost through urine. Additionally, the dehydration caused by coffee does not last very long. It would take a large amount of coffee to cause dehydration, and even then it wouldn’t be very dangerous. You’ll probably never experience this effect unless you consume more than 4 cups of coffee per day. This is because your body quickly develops a tolerance to caffeine.

2. It’s Full of Calories

Whether it’s cradled in a travel mug on your commute or sipped after spin class, coffee is a go-to morning drink for many people. But what most people don’t know is that the caffeine in this popular beverage can actually boost metabolism and burn fat.

While some popular diets eliminate this hot beverage (think Whole30), the truth is that coffee can be an important part of a healthy diet — so long as you avoid added sugar and other unhealthy ingredients like artificial sweeteners. Instead, try adding spices to your cup of joe that also provide health benefits like cinnamon, which stabilizes blood sugar, and nutmeg, a good source of manganese.

Another positive aspect of coffee is that it can act as an appetite suppressant for some people. In addition, it can reduce the risk of a number of conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

3. It’s Full of Sugar

A cup of plain black coffee has just two to five calories. But add milk, sugar and flavored syrups, and you’re looking at a lot more calories—and extra sugar can contribute to weight gain and tooth decay.

Some diets, such as the ketogenic diet and WW (which uses a point system for tracking every food) encourage coffee drinking, and unsweetened black coffee is a zero-Point beverage on both. But, if you rely on pre-packaged lattes from coffee shops, you could be consuming a lot more than the recommended daily intake of sugar.

The good news is that regular coffee drinkers—even those who drink their joe sweetened—may have a lower risk of death than non-coffee drinkers, according to a study published in the May 31 edition of Annals of Internal Medicine. The study’s author, Dr. Christina Wee, explained that despite the added sugar, there was enough evidence that “it does not appear necessary for most coffee drinkers to reduce their consumption of this beverage.”1

4. It’s Full of Saturated Fat

In general, it's best to stick with moderate amounts of any food/beverage. But when it comes to a morning cup of coffee, if you're adding butter or other fats to it, you're doing more harm than good. As a health/wellness community, we've been taught that saturated fat is bad. So adding a dollop of butter or MCT oil (medium-chain triglyceride) to your coffee runs counter to most healthy lifestyles.

But it's important to keep in mind that even black coffee can be a high-calorie beverage if you add all sorts of ingredients to it. For example, if you drink two cups of coffee with whole milk in them and added sugar/sweetener to each one, you're consuming about an eighth of your daily recommended amount of saturated fat. Stick to skim or 2 percent milk for your coffee, which is still rich in calcium and vitamin D but significantly less saturated fat.

5. It’s Full of Caffeine

Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant. Depending on your sensitivity, too much caffeine can cause restlessness, anxiety, heart palpitations and insomnia. Some people also experience acid reflux. The best way to avoid this problem is to drink your coffee with no added cream or sugar.

A cup of brewed coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine. If you add cream, the total amount of caffeine increases to about 200 milligrams per cup.

Research shows that a few cups of coffee daily boosts energy and helps you maintain a healthy weight. It may also reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes, improve your mood and protect against depression and liver disease. But remember, if you have an existing health condition, talk to your doctor before increasing your coffee consumption. Some medical conditions that can interfere with coffee drinking include high blood pressure, heart disease, gastrointestinal issues and some psychiatric disorders.

6. It’s Full of Other Ingredients

While coffee is full of caffeine, it also contains other nutrients and compounds. One of these compounds is chlorogenic acid, which helps regulate blood sugar and slow the absorption of carbohydrates. Coffee also contains potassium and riboflavin, along with a host of antioxidants.

Caffeine may temporarily suppress appetite, but it will not have a significant effect on weight loss. Besides, it is important to note that the studies linking heavy coffee consumption to weight gain didn’t take into account other factors, such as smoking or an unhealthy diet.

The best way to enjoy a cup of coffee is with no added sweeteners. Adding sugar to coffee is a big no-no, as it can cause you to over-indulge on other high-calorie foods and drinks. Instead, try experimenting with different types of natural sweeteners, such as honey, agave or Stevia, which is made from a leaf and offers a more healthful alternative to sugar.