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If you’re like many people, you may start your day with a cup of coffee. According to
Health Magazine,1 about half of American adults stick to this daily ritual, despite conventional warnings that coffee might not be all that good for you.

My own understanding of coffee’s virtues and risks was greatly enhanced by my 2011 interview with Ori Hofmekler, author of
The Warrior Diet and
Unlocking the Muscle Gene, who has researched coffee extensively.

Ori explained how coffee, when consumed in the right way, can in fact be used as a health and fitness enhancing tool. There are caveats, however, and there are also points of contention, where the details still have not quite been teased out.

Despite that, it is possible to draw up some general guidelines that will allow you to enjoy your coffee with minimal risk. You may even be able to reap valuable benefits from your habit, provided you’re willing to make some slight alterations to how you drink it.

Ori specifically pointed out the benefits coffee might have when consumed prior to working out, and this is also the focus of the featured article.