Drinking a cup of coffee first thing in the morning is a routine for coffee lovers. But a new study by AsapScience shows that it blunts the energy-boosting effects of caffeine and may lead to increased tolerance of the substance.
The body works on a rhythm and is guided by a circadian clock. It is a 24-hour hormonal cycle that occurs within the body. It tells the indiviudal when it's time to wake up, eat, sleep, and do all sorts of activities throughout the day.
One of the things that this clock controls is the release of the hormone called cortisol which makes one feel awake and alert.
The peak production of cortisol occurs between 8 AM and 9 AM. So during the time that many people are having their first cup of coffee on the way to work, their bodies are actually caffeinating themselves naturally.
Caffeine consumption at the same time that the cortisol levels are up will decline the effectiveness of the stimulant.
Consuming caffeine when the body does not need it, will result to a faster tolerance to it and the buzz that one gets from caffeine will greatly diminish.
Although having coffee first thing in the morning is a habit instilled by coffee industries, the traditonal idea of a coffee break makes more sense.
Timing the coffee consumption with your body’s cortisol schedule means you will get the biggest bang from the caffeine jolt.
According to the infographic, cortisol levels peak between 8 to 9 AM, 12 to 1 PM, and 5:30 to 6:30 PM, meaning the best time for a coffee break is between 9:30 to 11:30 AM and 1:30 to 5 PM, when the body’s cortisol levels drop.
Although the release of cortisol is mostly controlled by sunlight, levels of cortisol increase by about 50% upon waking up. So even early risers don't need caffeine immediately upon jumping out of bed, but can benefit from having their first cup about an hour later.
Watch the video by AsapScience below.
