For many of us, its an absolute must-have when it comes to our morning routine.

Its true that coffee gives a zap of energy when were dragging and helps with alertness.

Its also proven to be aheart-healthy morning drink.

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And theres one special ingredient that can elevate your next cup: cocoa.

Here, a cardiologist and registered dietitian explain the benefits of coffee with cocoa for heart health.

Research shows moderate coffee drinking may improve your longevity and heart health.

Photography of a apple juice in glasses and apples in a wicker basket on wooden table

registered dietitian nutritionist with Top Nutrition Coaching

But Dr. Bart warns, this doesnt mean you should start chugging coffee all day.

Any more and you could be doing yourself harm.

An older November 2013 review inCirculation2supports these claims in a meta-analysis that included more than 35 studies.

red pigment in a wooden spoon

And some of the perks of coffee and cocoa are similar.

Keep in mind: Cocoa and chocolate arent the same thing.

Cocoa powder is lower in saturated fat and added sugar (so long as its unsweetened).

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Tips for making heart-healthy coffee with cocoa

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And because unsweetened cocoa powder can be bitter, a little can go a long way.

Dr. Bart says these can have negative effects on heart health if you arent careful.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

registered dietitian nutritionist with Top Nutrition Coaching

For maximal benefits, skip these optional extras.

Micko adds that other tasty additions can also compromise heart health.

If youre craving more flavor,add spices to your coffeelike cinnamon or nutmeg.

A hand is stirring a sourdough starter in a glass jar, on a kitchen countertop. The light casts a warm glow, highlighting the ingredients inside the jar.

Go organic when possible

Look for organic on the label when buying coffee and cocoa powder.

Conventional coffee beans and cacao beans are typically sprayed heavily with pesticides in farming practices, Micko says.

The more wholesome the ingredients, the better.

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.

Look for cocoa powder that has 4 percent naturally conserved cocoa flavonoids, Dr. Bart says.

Also, see to it the first ingredient is cocoa and not sugar.

And check that it is unsweetened.

I like to walk to my nearest coffee shop as a bit of a ritual, Dr. Bart says.

Staying socially connected can positively affect heart health, according to theHeart Foundation.

2014 Feb 11;129(6):643-59. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.005925.

Epub 2013 Nov 7.

PMID: 24201300; PMCID: PMC3945962.

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