Today is National Coffee Day!

Joe, java, cuppa… whatever you call it, coffee is a daily ritual for millions of Americans. It becomes part of our routine—getting up in the morning, making a cup, pouring it into your favorite mug, feeling the warmth in your hands, and taking that first sip as you start your day.  Some fun coffee facts:

Coffee is the second most traded commodity on Earth and was discovered by goats.

Coffee beans are not a bean at all.  They are actually a fruit.

Light roast may contain slightly more caffeine than dark roast

Beethoven counted out 60 coffee beans for every cup he made himself.

But coffee is more than a morning ritual. It’s social, too. It’s meeting a friend for coffee, discussing business strategies with a colleague over a cup, or sitting in a coffee shop simply to feel connected to the people around you without ever having to say a word.

And there may be another reason to appreciate that daily cup: science suggests that coffee may have some health benefits, too. Research has linked coffee consumption with potential protective effects on the liver and kidneys, a lower risk of some cancers, and better glucose metabolism. Coffee contains polyphenols and other compounds that may influence how our bodies respond to insulin.

Research has also found associations between coffee consumption and a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia, although scientists are still studying exactly how coffee might affect these conditions. Some studies suggest that certain compounds in coffee may play a role, but there’s still plenty to learn.

So, while coffee isn’t a magic health potion—and more isn’t necessarily better—your daily cup may be doing more than simply helping you wake up.  Try to keep the heavy fat creamers and high sugar syrups at bay if you can:)

Coffee is ritual. It’s connection. It’s comfort. And perhaps, in moderation, it can be one small part of a healthier life.

And somehow, coffee becomes personal. We really know someone when we know how they take their coffee.

So today, raise your favorite mug and celebrate the cup that starts your day, fuels your conversations, brings people together and may have a postivie impact on your health.