Why You Should Wait a Few Hours Before That Morning Cup of Coffee
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Making a cup of coffee might be the first thing you do when you wake up.
However, it might be better to wait a while. Let’s look at the reasons why and when it may be better to enjoy your morning cup.
Caffeine and cortisol
Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is part of the stress response, and helps the body stay on alert after the initial “fight, flight, freeze or fawn” response. It also regulates the circadian rhythm, metabolism, immune system response and blood pressure.
Your body releases cortisol in the morning to help you start your day, and levels of the hormone are typically highest about 45 minutes after waking, then drop through the day, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Coffee, of course, contains the stimulant caffeine. One 8-ounce cup of coffee has 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine depending on the coffee and preparation. Drinking caffeine while cortisol levels are at their peak increases cortisol production, contributing to the energy boost caffeine is famous for. For some people, the combination of cortisol and caffeine can make them feel jittery or wired.
While cortisol is essential for your daily life, elevated levels over time can lead to inflammation. Chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart problems and weight gain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Additionally, consuming caffeine throughout the day continues that cortisol production.
When is it best to drink a cup of coffee?
If you tend to feel wired from caffeine, try pouring your coffee a couple of hours after you wake up. This is when cortisol levels start to decrease, and you may feel a more stable boost from caffeine.
While waiting to drink caffeine could help some, drinking it too late in the day can disrupt sleep. Caffeine has a half-life of five hours, so avoiding it eight or so hours before bedtime is a good idea to prevent it from interfering with sleep.
While caffeine is not harmful for most people, adults should drink no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, or about four cups of coffee, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Pregnant women should not have more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day. Children younger than 12 should not drink caffeine, and teenagers should limit themselves to about 100 milligrams a day. This includes caffeine from all sources, including tea, energy drinks, sodas and chocolate.
Nearly three-quarters of Americans drink a cup of coffee daily. While it may feel strange to delay your cup, you may find benefits of doing so, especially when you’re experiencing stress or feel wired from caffeine. There is no scientific evidence that there is a single best time to drink coffee, trial and error may help you find the best routine.
To enjoy a hot drink when you wake up, try decaffeinated coffee or a cup of herbal tea first. This has the benefit of hydration without the effects of caffeine and may help with the transition to a later cup of coffee.
Image: Getty Images
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