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Okay, let's make sure we're on the same page here. We're not trying to preach about the negative health effects of caffeine, nor would we ever tell you to quit coffee (we're drinking a big ol' cup right now!). Instead, here are five tips to help keep your health journey on track while still enjoying your java. 

1. Drink a glass of water first  

We’ve know for a while now that caffeine is a diuretic, but only recently have studies shown that our bodies can actually adapt to consistent caffeine consumption. This negates the dehydrating effect, nullifying the diuretic effect that caffeine has. Crazy! But here’s the catch: studies have also shown that those who drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, typically find that at the end of the day, they have hardly drunk any water.
 
That’s why it is recommended to drink a glass of water before your espresso. And

In addition, having your coffee on an empty stomach as soon as you wake up can cause some people to get the jitters and become hyper alert. When our bodies wake up, we produces an elevated amount of a hormone called cortisol, which can leave us feeling anywhere between alert and anxious. 
 

2. Make sure your beans are quality! 

Do you know where your beans are sourced? How were they grown? Conventional coffee is among the most heavily chemically treated foods in the world. Yep. Coffee beans are often sprayed with synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides. In large quantities, these carcinogenic chemicals may cause damage to your DNA, so really shouldn't we avoid them if we can?
Ask your local cafe. Check the back of the bag. Not only can you avoid the consumption of these pesticides, you can also ensure you are supporting ethically sourced companies. We recommend looking for an organic non-GMO certification. 

3. Avoid caffeine after 3pm

Caffeine can disrupt your sleep even six hours after consuming it, so if you plan to start winding down at 9pm, you better think twice about that coffee. 

4. Say no to sugar

Sugar sneaks its way into our diet from every which direction. Sugar in itself is not unhealthy. In fact, certain types of sugars such as fructose and carbohydrates play an important role in cellular function. However, that being said, an excess of sugar in the diet can have the opposite effect and cause heart disease, weight gain, and diabetes. 

So let's not add an extra teaspoon (or two or however many coffees you have a day) into our diet. 

5. Say no to artificial sweeteners 

Sure, it may seem very tempting to reach for that 0 calorie caramel flavored
sweetener, but these sweeteners have been linked to weight gain, diabetes, and even cancer. 
So, if you're looking for some healthy sweetness, add some Date Syrup. We're not just trying to sell our products, but rather educate Americans how we can have our date-syrup-sweetened-cake, and eat it too. 

 6. Don't drink your calories

While a double mocha caramel choc-chip frappuccino with whipped cream might appeal to some, these drinks are the holy grails of sugar traps. Some of these drinks even host an entire days worth of calories! If you want to purchase your drinks out of the house, be sure to make smart choices and always know what you're getting. You can always ask the barista if you're not sure. 

Looking to treat yourself but not sure what to order? Blue Bottle have started using D'vash date syrup to sweeten some of the items on their menu. Yum!