Is coffee good for your memory? A Harvard brain expert shares how she maximizes its health benefits

Coffee is>How coffee can protect the brain and support memory

As a nutritional psychiatrist, faculty member at Harvard Medical School, and author of "This Is Your Brain>How to make coffee a brain boost

Through my research and studies, I've found that coffee has more good effects than bad when consumed in moderation.

Two to four cups per day, or less than 400 milligrams of caffeine, is recommended. Drinking dark-roasted, freshly ground coffee beans may also decrease unwanted chemicals in your beverage.

Here's how I drink coffee to maximize its brain-boosting benefits:

1. Practice body intelligence

Coffee doesn't work for everyone, and it can have adverse effects, especially if it's consumed in excess.

To decide how much caffeine to consume (or whether to consume it at all), tune into your innate body intelligence. This means acknowledging how foods and beverages make you feel, then acting accordingly.

If coffee doesn't make you feel good after drinking it, it's probably not good for your body.

2. Make coffee part of your morning routine

Morning routines can help increase brain fitness and feelings of purpose. After I meditate in the morning, I'll have a golden turmeric milk latte, with a shot of espresso.

I made my golden milk recipe with my grandma, so drinking it not only improves my mood, but it also gives me a feeling of connection. Find a similarly fulfilling way to make coffee part of your morning.

3. Cut the coffee shops

Saving money and making your coffee at home gives you the option to use healthy ingredients and avoid the processed ones that can inflame the gut and brain.

For example, rather than buying a sugary mocha latte, you can make one of my favorite at-home coffee drinks: Mix coffee and antioxidant-rich cacao with unsweetened coconut milk for added healthy fats, a dash of cinnamon for cognition-boosting effects, and a drop of vanilla for indulgent flavor.