If you want the short answer as to when is the best time to drink coffee, it is best taken in the mid-to-late morning, that is when cortisol level is significantly lower. For early birds waking up around 6:30 a.m., this will be between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
If you want to know why this is the best time to drink coffee, well… keep reading!
A cup of this caffeinated drink is known to be a beverage people reach out for first thing in the morning to help them jump-start their day. However, this is not always the case, as some believe that more benefits are reaped if coffee is taken later in the day.
Think you know all there is to know about coffee?
Think again. Coffee is more than just a drink; it can also be an effective stimulant at certain times.
The best time to drink coffee is not always when you feel like it, but rather when your body needs it most.
If you’ve ever wondered when is the best time to drink coffee, here are some facts that will keep you thinking before grabbing that cup next time.
When is it best to drink coffee? Read through to find out!
Is it bad to drink coffee as soon as you wake up?
The best time to drink coffee may not be in the morning but an hour after you wake up. This is because, according to researchers who published a small yet fascinating clinical review, the body’s development of cortisol is at one of its three daily peaks.
Although many people like to savor their coffee upon waking up, drinking coffee at this time decreases its energy-boosting effect.
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone that functions to improve focus and alertness. On top of that, it also contributes to metabolism regulation, immune system response, and blood pressure levels.
So, when is the best time to drink coffee?
Cortisol largely follows the circadian rhythm, with the hormone peaking at 30-45 minutes after rising and gradually decreasing throughout the day. This is the very reason why it has been suggested that coffee is best taken mid-to-late morning, a period when cortisol level is significantly lower. For early birds waking up around 6:30 a.m., this will be between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Is this a fact?
Although experts highly suggest this, there are still no studies until today that fully supports the claim of any significant increase in coffee’s energizing effects when taken at a later time, compared with drinking one first thing upon rising.
Another concern is that the caffeine in your morning coffee can increase cortisol levels in the body. So, drinking coffee during the peak of your cortisol level may further increase levels of this hormone, thus, possibly increasing stress. Chronic elevation of cortisol can suppress the immune system posing a significant risk to overall health.
Despite this suggestion, note that no long-term studies on the health implications of cortisol elevation from caffeine intake are available today. Also, caffeine-induced cortisol elevation was found to be decreased in people who consume coffee regularly.
In line with that, harmful implications from drinking coffee immediately upon waking are unlikely. But if delaying your morning coffee for a few hours is not much of a big deal, you may find that it provides you a greater boost in energy.
Coffee and exercise
Caffeine is popular for its benefit of inducing alertness and wakefulness, but did you know that coffee also positively affects exercise performance? Coffee is even known to be a great alternative to caffeine-containing pre-workout supplements because it costs much less.
Studies support that caffeine can delay exercise fatigue and enhance muscle strength and power during your workout session. However, remember that caffeine’s effect on exercise performance depends on the time of the consumption of coffee.
For maximum benefit, it is best to drink your cup of Joe 30-60 minutes before a workout or before any physical activity because this is the duration it takes for the caffeine levels to peak in your body.
In addition, the effective dose of caffeine to maximize exercise performance is 1.4 to 2.7 mg per pound (3 to 6 mg per kg) of body weight. For example, a 150-pound (68-kg) person needs 200-400 mg of caffeine to enjoy its benefits on your workout fully. This equates to 2-4 cups (475-950 mL) of coffee.
Coffee and insomnia
We have already established that caffeine promotes wakefulness and enhances exercise performance. Now, it’s time to chat about its effects on sleep and anxiety.
It takes 3-5 hours for the stimulating effects of caffeine to wear off, and although not every person is the same, about half of the caffeine ingested stays in your body after 5 hours. That said, consuming coffee a few hours before bed may cause sleeping problems. To avoid caffeine-induced insomnia, avoid drinking coffee for at least 6 hours before bedtime.
Can I drink coffee at 4 pm?
Suppose you want to start winding down and go to bed at 9 p.m., after 3 p.m. It’s a bad idea. Some health experts suggest avoiding coffee at 2 p.m.
Coffee and anxiety
Moreover, studies have shown that caffeine intake can also increase anxiety in some people. People who already suffer from anxiety reported that drinking coffee exacerbates it even more. If you’re one of these people, consuming less coffee or avoiding it altogether may benefit your well-being.
Have difficulties let coffee go? A good alternative is a green tea. It contains about one-third of the caffeine found in coffee. Plus, it also boasts relaxing and calming properties from the amino acid L-theanine.
Too much coffee?
Consumption of 400 mg of caffeine daily for rather healthy individuals is allowed. This is equivalent to about 4 cups (950mg) of coffee; anything more than this dose may be too much for your body to handle.
On the other hand, the recommended amount is up to 300 mg of caffeine daily for pregnant and nursing women. However, some researchers suggest that it is safest to limit intake to up to 200 mg per day for this population.
The previously-discussed recommendations include all types of caffeine, such as tea, energy drinks, and sodas.
Summary
- One of the world’s massively enjoyed beverages is coffee, with a ton of health benefits.
- Although evidence around this is still insufficient, it is recommended that the best time to enjoy your cup of tea is mid- to late-morning because this is the time when your cortisol level is much lower.
- Coffee consumption 30-60 minutes before any physical activity aids in the delay of muscle fatigue and enhancement of muscle power and strength.
- Drinking coffee too close to bedtime may induce sleep problems due to its stimulating effects.
- People suffering from anxiety report worsening symptoms with caffeine intake.
Get crazy with coffee, but before 2 pm!
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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
