If you're anything like me, your ability to be a fully functioning member of society is solely dependent on your morning cup of coffee. Not only does it give you that much needed caffeine boost to get you through the day, but it can have several health benefits depending on how you drink it. 

Drinking black coffee with no added sugar or milk has a number of benefits for your body. Here's some reasons why you should ditch the cream and sugar and drink your coffee black. 

1. Low calories

milk, cream, coffee, tea, chocolate
Alex Waxenbaum
Adding milk, caramel sauce, and whipped cream to your coffee can be tempting, but those sweet treats add up. A Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte with 2% milk and whipped cream from Starbucks contains 380 calories and 50 grams of sugar, which is almost the same amount of sugar in 12 Oreos! A regular sized cup of just black coffee is about 5 calories and contains 0 grams of sugar.

2. Boosts metabolism

Caffeine is a natural fat burning supplement, but adding extra milk and sugar to your cup o' Joe can diminish these properties. Studies show that black coffee can increase your metabolic rate by 3-11%. Energy booster plus fat burner? Yes please.

3. Diuretic

Anyone who's ever drank coffee knows that it makes you pee like a race horse. But don't worry, that's completely normal. Caffeine is a diuretic and it flushes out your system to rid your body of toxins. In with the good, out with the bad.

4. Reduces risk of some types of cancer

coffee, chocolate, cereal, espresso, cappuccino, mocha, sweet, black beans
Abby Reisinger

Laboratory studies have shown that the phytochemicals in coffee beans can help "control cell growth and reduce cancer cell development", especially in liver cancer. Those are some pretty bad ass beans.

5. Cheap AF!

Seriously, a cup of plain black coffee is probably, like, the cheapest drink you can get at a coffee shop (besides water). At Starbucks, a Grande cup of freshly brewed coffee is $2.10, while a Grande White Chocolate Mocha is $4.45. Save that dough and buy yourself something nice, you deserve it. Black coffee is definitely an acquired taste, but I promise you won't regret making the switch. Your body and wallet will thank you!