As of: January 30, 2024, 6:11 a.m
By: Julia Stanton
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US researchers have investigated when the healthiest time to consume coffee is: it's not after waking up.
Kassel — For most people, the morning begins with a cup of coffee.
You should actually avoid the hot drink when you get up.
Contrary to common assumptions, morning coffee does not have the desired stimulating effect.
Instead, consuming the drink too early can lead to inner restlessness.
Scientists led by neuroscientist Steven Miller from the University of Maryland came to this conclusion in 2013, as reported by the science magazine
Smithsonian
.
Caffeine increases cortisol: Coffee after waking up can be unhealthy
This is due to the release of the hormone cortisol, which is also colloquially known as the stress hormone.
After waking up, the body releases a particularly large amount of cortisol because it is a natural stimulant, according to the research team's scientific paper from 2013.
After about 45 minutes, the cortisol level drops again.
Coffee in the morning?
No problem.
The drink should only be avoided immediately after waking up.
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Coffee causes cortisol levels to increase.
So if you drink this immediately after waking up, your body will be getting caffeine that it doesn't need.
This can disrupt the natural flow of cortisol.
In addition, the effect of caffeine is also weakened.
It's better to wait until you get up to have your coffee - that's the healthiest way to do it
The researchers at the University of Maryland therefore recommend not drinking your first coffee until 1.5 hours after waking up.
According to their findings, cortisol levels decrease again between 9:30 and 11:30 in the morning.
This time is therefore ideal for your first cup of coffee.
However, it should also be noted that the right time to enjoy coffee also depends on individual factors and personal preferences.
Anyone taking certain medications should, for example, pay attention to interactions.
As a general guideline, you should wait a short time after waking up before drinking your first coffee.
For a long time, coffee had a very bad reputation, but the drink is actually not unhealthy as long as it is consumed correctly.
On the contrary: According to a Harvard study, drinking coffee every day increases life expectancy.
(jus)