Coffee… is it good for you? Will you have energy crashes or high blood pressure or insomnia if you drink coffee? The opinions on this matter are different.
Many professionals say that caution with any caffeine source is very important, but on the other side, we have scientific studies about coffee which show that coffee’s effects are far less alarming than the effects of refined sugar and processed foods.
But still, there is a consensus about certain times of the day when drinking coffee can be harmful to your well-being.
The Worst Times To Drink Coffee
1. First Thing In The Morning
A lot of people drink their first cup before 9 am. Drinking coffee after waking up is a cultural phenomenon in America. But you must know that your cortisol levels naturally peak between the hours of 8-9 am and they will be higher at this time than at any other time during the day (for people with a normal sleep timetable). So, if you consume during this time, two things will happen:
- Stress levels and feelings of jitteriness will increase – Caffeine cortisol + natural cortisol = too much cortisol (the stress hormone). This will make your day far more stressful.
- You will develop a higher tolerance to caffeine –A higher tolerance is when your body requires higher doses of caffeine in order to reach the best energy effects it needs.
A Better Alternative: A far better time to drink your cup of coffee is between 9:30 and 11:30 am. During this time, the cortisol levels are lower.
2. Lunch Time
For the same reasons mentioned above, it is counterproductive to drink coffee between 12 and 1 pm.
A Better Alternative: Your cortisol levels will get lower after 1 pm again. Most of us are familiar with that feeling of post-lunchtime sleepiness. So, if you drink a cup of coffee between 1:30 and 5, you will boost your energy levels.
The handy chart below from the blog “I Love Coffee” cleverly maps out the times of day when it’s best to enjoy a mug full of java.
3. Directly After A Meal
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that drinking coffee with a meal or during the hour after the meal will reduce iron absorption by 44%. This effect is even higher if the coffee contains sugar or milk.
VERY IMPORTANT: People with iron-deficiency anemia must know this warning.
A Better Alternative: It is better to drink hot maca after dinner. When blended with cacao and cinnamon, hot maca tastes delicious. In addition, there are many benefits such as energy levels boost, enhanced mood, and improved libido.
We also recommend you take a walk after dinner. This is very good for your overall health.
4. Within 3-4 Hours Of Bedtime
Drinking coffee in the hours before bedtime can cause restlessness, unsatisfactory sleep, or insomnia.
A Better Alternative: A cup of decaffeinated herbal tea will allow you to have a peaceful night. Passion root, lavender, chamomile, and valerian root teas have calming powers.
Source: besthealthyguide.com