No morning is ever complete without a hot cup of joe. That one cup can do more than start your day off right; it can also help to keep your health on the right path.

While the amount of coffee consumed varies per person, it’s no surprise that a vast majority of college students drink coffee like there’s no tomorrow. We use it to jump-start our days, get us through long nights of studying and, at times, simply because we enjoy the taste.

Everyone should partake in the consumption of coffee, no matter the flavor or level of boldness, to provide themselves with the numerous health benefits coffee has to offer.

For those who drink it black, the nutritional impact is close to nothing. The USDA National Nutrient Database reports there are only two calories in a cup of regular without cream and sugar.

Using decaffeinated beans reduces the calorie count to zero, but flavoring and creamer can increase that number to 700. Of course, this all depends on how much one adds to his or her cup.

Besides the nearly nonexistent caloric value found in coffee, it also provides antioxidants, which contribute to healthy bodily function by preventing various types of cell damage, according to Medline Plus.

Another health benefit is that coffee can help to protect one’s liver – something everyone should appreciate.

Studies have shown that those who drink one cup of coffee per day are 20 percent less likely to develop liver cirrhosis, as reported by the Huffington Post.

Cirrhosis, an autoimmune disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption, can lead to liver failure and cancer.

As if its effects on the waistline and the liver weren’t enough, coffee will also improve a workout.

By increasing the number of fatty acids in the bloodstream, coffee enables muscles to absorb and burn those fats as fuel, which results in a small reserve of carbohydrates for later on in the workout, according to the New York Times.

This makes coffee the perfect drink to start your day, regardless of whether fitness is a part of it.

Its numerous health benefits, in addition to the fact that it doesn’t stunt your growth, makes coffee an all-around positive addition to your day. It’s a rarity in life to witness someone frowning after drinking a hot cup of coffee.

So those who are avid coffee drinkers should keep on chugging, and those who don’t should their health a great service by grabbing a cup soon.

-Marissa Mararac is a junior communication major from Tacoma. She can be contacted at 335-2290 or by [email protected]. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the staff of The Daily Evergreen or those of Student Publications.