A scientist has named the best time to drink your morning coffee (Image: Getty)
A scientist has issued a warning to early birds who reach for their coffee as soon as they rise, suggesting it might not be the best start to the day. Dr Nina Rzechorzek from the University of Cambridge advises against the immediate morning caffeine fix, labelling it “unhelpful”.
The body’s natural production of cortisol, the hormone that helps us wake up, can be disrupted by coffee consumption. Dr Rzechorzek explains that coffee can cause a surge in cortisol levels. This, she says, leads to an “unhelpful spike in alertness” and potentially increasing our tolerance to coffee, which may result in caffeine dependence.
:
Espresso machine making fresh cup of coffee (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
For those looking to optimise their coffee routine, Dr Rzechorzek recommends delaying that first cup. Research on the ideal timing for coffee is still not definitive, but there are suggestions that waiting a bit after waking up could be beneficial.
In conversation with The Times, Dr Rzechorzek advised: “Some evidence suggests that waiting just a little bit after you’ve woken up? Maybe an hour before your first cup might be advantageous.”
Echoing this sentiment, sleep expert Rex Isap from Happy Beds previously told BristolLive about the merits of postponing the morning brew. He advocates for a one-hour gap post-waking to fully enjoy the effects of coffee, reports .
He said: “When it comes to the ideal time to have your first coffee, we might tend to reach for the kettle as soon as we wake up. Ideally, however, you want to wait an hour before waking to truly reap the benefits.”
Don’t miss… [REPORT]
Scientists are divided however as to when you should drink your first coffee (Image: Getty Images)
“When we wake, our cortisol levels are at their peak. Cortisol, often associated with stress, enhances your alertness levels. So, drinking caffeine while your cortisol levels are already high can work against this or even help with gaining a tolerance for caffeine.”
revealed that daily caffeine intake could lead to a diminished cortisol response in healthy young adults. Moreover, recent research indicates that your morning cup of coffee might come with anti-inflammatory benefits.
Intriguing findings from the European Heart Journal suggest that timing your coffee consumption to the morning hours could be linked to longevity. The study’s conclusion was clear: “We found that coffee drinking timing was associated with all-cause mortality risk and cardiovascular-specific mortality risk independent of the amounts of coffee intake.”
Conversely, research published in the warns that starting your day with a large black coffee may adversely affect your blood sugar control for the rest of the day. The journal advises: “Following a night of disrupted sleep, individuals should balance the potential stimulating benefits of caffeinated coffee consumption with the potential to increase postprandial glucose excursions.”
Your morning coffee could make your live longer (Image: Getty)
What does the NHS say about caffeine consumption
, we should drink caffeine “in moderation”. It says: “Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, depending on how much they drink and how often. Check the label for drinks that are high in caffeine.”
However, the health service says pregnant women should consume no more than 200mg of caffeine a day. It adds: “This could increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth weight.”