Mornings always hit different whenever you start your day by drinking coffee. Nothing beats that boost of energy you get from a warm cup of brew. In fact, according to nutrition experts from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “Coffee is chock full of substances that may help guard against conditions more common in women, including Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. [Additionally], coffee also contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease.”
But when exactly is the best—and healthiest—time to drink your coffee? We asked naturopath and general family practitioner Dr. Yelena Deshko to find out. Keep reading to see what she has to say.
The Best Time To Drink Coffee
According to Dr. Deshko, "The most ideal time to drink coffee depends on your planned activities." If you're going to do any form of exercise, she shared a study that shows how "it may be beneficial to consume coffee within 30 to 60 minutes prior the workout as it can help improve performance and endurance."
She adds, "On an average day, mid-morning is likely the best time to consume coffee. Upon waking, your cortisol (stress hormone) levels are naturally at their highest. Elevated levels of cortisol over long periods may interfere with [your] immune system functioning. Therefore, it is undesirable to augment your body’s natural cortisol response with caffeine first thing in the morning. Delaying caffeine consumption until your cortisol levels have slightly declined is likely more beneficial."
In a nutshell, this means it's ideal to drink your caffeinated beverage when your cortisol levels aren't that high anymore. You definitely don't want to ruin your body's immune system, so it helps to take that cup of joe between 8:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m.
Dr. Deshko concludes, "One important point to note is to avoid coffee and caffeinated beverage intake within six to eight hours of your typical bedtime. Caffeine can interfere with sleep onset and worsen sleep quality." Similarly, Dr. Erin Stokes, naturopathic doctor and medical director at MegaFood confirms that you should limit caffeine intake especially after noon since caffeine can remain in your bloodstream for up to 10 hours. As a result, this will make falling asleep much more challenging.
