Coffee is one of the most searched beverages in the world. It contains caffeine, which is a very common stimulant. Many people reach for a cup of this caffeinated beverage directly after waking up, while others think that holding off for a few hours is more beneficial. Therefore this article will discuss the right time to drink coffee and its benefits

Cortisol and Coffee

Many people enjoy a cup of coffee while rising or shortly after. Moreover,  coffee intake early after rising is believed to minimize its energizing effects as the cortisol stress hormone is at its peak during that time. Cortisol is a hormone that improves sharpness and concentration. It also controls your metabolism, immune system response, and blood pressure. The hormone follows a pattern similar to your sleep-wake cycle, with high levels of peaking 30–45 minutes after awakening and decreasing gradually during the rest of the day.

It is recommended that the optimal time to drink coffee is between mid-late morning while the cortisol level is lower. For most people who get up about 6:30 a.m., this period is between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Although there might be some benefits to that, no research has found some superior energizing results of delaying the morning coffee, as opposed to drinking it immediately after rising.

Another reason why it was suggested that you should postpone your morning coffee is that coffee can raise cortisol levels. If your cortisol level is at its highest, consuming coffee will further increase these hormone levels. High levels of cortisol can damage the immune system over long periods, causing health difficulties.

Nevertheless, no long-term research has been performed on the health effects of elevated cortisol from drinking coffee. However, increases in cortisol caused by caffeine appear to decrease in people who frequently consume caffeine. That said, there is generally no risk if you choose to drink coffee on the increase rather than many hours later.

Coffee Can Boost Exercise Performance

Coffee is popular for its ability to encourage wakefulness and increase alertness, but the drink is also an efficient exercise performance enhancer due to its caffeine content. Plus, coffee can be a far cheaper alternative to caffeine-containing supplements such as pre-workout powders. Several studies have shown that caffeine may reduce exercise exhaustion and boost muscle strength and endurance.

If you are trying to maximize the beneficial effects of coffee on exercise results, it is best to eat the beverage 30–60 minutes before a workout or sporting event. This is the time it takes to peak the body’s caffeine levels. Caffeine from coffee will experience the workout efficiency benefits within 30–60 minutes after consuming the beverage.

Healthy adults can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine a day, whereas pregnant and nursing women can consume up to 300 mg a day safely, and some research indicates that 200 mg is the acceptable limit.

Coffee is a popular drink that has been enjoyed all over the world. Therefore It is suggested that the best time to drink coffee is mid to late in the morning when the cortisol level is lower, but research on this subject is lacking. Consuming coffee 30–60 minutes before the workout or sporting event will help delay fatigue and improve muscle strength and power. Bear in mind that if you drink coffee too close to bedtime, the calming effects of caffeine from coffee can cause sleep problems, as well as increase anxiety in some people.