How to Drink Coffee

Depending on how you use it, coffee can be a pick-me-up or a real downer.

By Jennifer Warner, WebMD Feature

Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD

A cup of coffee with breakfast, another during the morning commute, a few lattes at the office, and an espresso after dinner -- is this a healthy habit or an addiction?

Coffee's caffeine jolt can temporarily boost alertness, perk up performance, and possibly even improve concentration.

But before you pour yourself another cup of joe, experts say it's important to remember coffee's main ingredient, caffeine, is a drug and not a nutrient required for good health like vitamins and minerals. And as with any drug, there are right ways and wrong ways to use it.

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