Here's How Red Wine, Coffee, and Chocolate Rate on the Health Meter

We've reached the point where our Pavlovian response to the words "red wine," "chocolate" and "research" is a deep eye roll. Sleep and coffee, too. What's the verdict this week? we wonder when a new study pops up on our Facebook feeds. Is seven hours of shut-eye considered ideal, or is it seven hours and seven minutes? Will that fourth cup of coffee kill me, or will it make me live longer? Is chocolate good for my heart or not?

It's understandable, given that we're constantly bombarded with new research that seems to perpetually contradict itself. The information is so overwrought that honestly, the best strategy seems to just focus on all the purported benefits, ignore the bad, and call it a day. But then again, being the health-minded folks that we are, there's that nagging instinct to wade through all the murkiness to get to the truth. 

So that's exactly what we did, so you don't have to. Here is the most up-to-date, substantiated, no-B.S. pros and cons of coffee, wine, sleep, and more.

Coffee

The Pros

These days, the general verdict seems to be in coffee's favor—studies have found that it reduces the risk for a variety of ailments ranging from cancer to heart disease to type 2 diabetes, believe it or not. (This is, of course, if you avoid calorie-laden add-ins like cream and sugar.)

The Cons

In excess, however, caffeine still isn't the best for concentration (hello, jitters) or sleep quality. A 2015 study found that it really messes with our circadian rhythm, aka our natural tendency to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. It's also habit-forming, which is definitely why this writer has worked her way up to five cups a day (sorry, science).

Your best bet is to stick to a daily maximum of three to four cups (ideally less), and for your best night of sleep, try not to consume any caffeine after noon. (Also keep in mind that decaf still has traces of caffeine in it.)

Sleep

The Pros

Quantity and quality are key here. Scientists have narrowed a range between seven and nine hours for adults, depending on the individual as the true sweet spot for a solid night's sleep (not to mention better heart health). For your deepest sleep, research favors a cool, very quiet, very dark atmosphere. You can up the ante even further by sleeping according to your circadian rhythm—the free app Sleep Cycle can help with that. (Just make sure you set the app well before bedtime—more on that in a minute.)

The Cons

After a hectic work week, it often feels like we could snooze for days—but that's not wise. While the detriments of sleep deprivation are widely known, oversleeping carries its own set of health hazards. A 2010 review found that getting more than nine hours on a regular basis may increase your mortality rate by up to 30%—that's compared to a mere 12% from getting less than seven (though it is unclear whether this means oversleeping is a cause or a symptom of other underlying conditions). That's not to say that getting too little sleep is ultimately preferable: It can have a negative impact on your immune system, waistline, digestion, vision, and of course, your mood.

Then, there's the fact that most of us see our electronics as extensions of our limbs. The blue light emitted from our phones and computers can warp our circadian rhythm and natural ability to fall asleep, which is why it's important to unplug at least an hour before bed.

Red Wine

The Pros

The truth is that many of the benefits attributed to red wine—things like preventing heart disease and diabetes—aren't necessarily specific to red wine, but other forms of alcohol as well. You do, however, get a boost of antioxidants with a glass of dark vino.

The Cons

You've likely seen studies that claim red wine can do anything from cure cancer to prevent dementia—but this is where things get murky. Studies on these subjects are so conflicting at this point that scientists can't settle on a definitive answer. And of course, it's important to remember the risks you take by drinking any kind of alcoholic beverage. The calorie and carbohydrate content is good to keep in mind as well. 

Dark Chocolate

The Pros

We just NEED to know: Can we eat our dark chocolate in good conscience? The research says it's a go, in moderation of course. (We'll take it!) It's actually brain food, as eating a square of the good stuff can lengthen our attention span and improve alertness. Plus, cocoa powder's high antioxidant content is comparable to that of other "superfood" powders.

The Cons

Chocolate loses a lot of its benefits when it's processed, and added sugars, milk, or flavoring may essentially negate the good. Moral of the story: Reach for unsweetened dark chocolate or cacao, and keep your serving sizes small—even the unprocessed stuff can be high in fat and calories.