Acrylamide has been declared a “probable human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning there’s strong evidence that the chemical can cause cancer in humans but not conclusive proof.

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that you would need to drink around 10 cups of instant coffee per day for their intake of acrylamide to become a concern, according to researchers at McGill University in Canada.

The coffee best for heart health: Filtered

Filter coffee is passed through a paper or metal filter, such as those made with an Aeropress or filter coffee machine. Like all other coffee types that aren’t instant, it is made from beans that have been roasted and ground, Rooke explains.

For those looking for a heart-health boost, it may be the best option. Researchers in Norway, who analysed the coffee habits of 500,000 people over two decades, found that there were lower rates of artery disease and death amongst those who drank filter coffee.

One to four cups a day was the dose identified for this protective effect.

While the study doesn’t prove filtered is healthier than unfiltered, the scientists noted that unfiltered contains 30-times more diterpenes, specifically two types called cafestol and kahweol, which are compounds that can raise cholesterol and may therefore increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

However, a swathe of research has repeatedly found that coffee drinking in general benefits heart health.

The best coffee for brain health: Espresso

Espresso coffees are those made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. “Most coffees that you would buy in a coffee shop, whether it’s a latte or cappuccino, have got espresso as the base,” Rooke notes.

Research suggests espresso-based coffees may be especially beneficial for our brains.

One paper, from the University of Verona, found that, when studied in a lab, espresso prevented the build-up of a toxic protein called tau, which is thought to play a role in the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Espresso contains a high level of bioactive compounds (substances that affect our body), such as caffeine and chlorogenic acid (an antioxidant that has been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure and heart disease), Collins notes, which could play a role in this finding.

The best coffee for your waistline: Cold brew

While instant or coffee-shop coffee is ready in a couple of minutes or less, cold brew coffee involves steeping beans in room-temperature water for much longer, typically overnight or for up to 24 hours.

The resulting drink is less bitter and acidic, which may make people less likely to add sugar and syrups, researchers have suggested.

Additionally, the long brewing process means that cold brew can have a higher concentration of bioactive components, compared to filter coffee, Collins explains. “The bioactives and the caffeine can be as high as espresso,” she notes.

Is caffeinated or decaf coffee healthier?

If you’re hankering for a coffee without the jolt of energy that comes with it, opting for decaf may be in your health’s best interest.

It’s made by stripping the caffeine out of beans before they are roasted, though there will still be around 7mg of caffeine per mug (compared to around 100mg in a typical coffee).

Some studies suggest that people who only drink decaf coffee are in better health than those who don’t drink any coffee at all, Collins notes. This may be because “you still get the chlorogenic acid and beneficial compounds without the stimulatory effect of caffeine”.