Morning coffee becomes a kind of infallible ritual for those who enjoy this drink , first, as a pleasure, for its flavor, smell and even for the simple pleasure of holding a cup in your hands to activate yourself in an almost aesthetic way, worthy of an Instagram or Pinterest post.

But much more than that, this drink also contains properties that stimulate the brain and activate the body, ideal for waking up and starting the routine with energy.

However, in recent times, a rumor has grown that morning coffee can work against you and, instead of getting you up and energized for the rest of the day, it can become an impediment to staying energetic for the rest of the day. hours, with a subsequent drop in energy that ends up hindering pending tasks, but how true is this? And so, what is the best time for morning coffee if you're looking to stay energized for the rest of the day?

Let's start first: how does caffeine work?

The effects of caffeine

coffee, caffeine, morning beverage, health, wellness — Coffee grounds and a cup of coffee, image: Unsplash

As you probably know, the reason why drinking coffee wakes us up is because this drink provides caffeine , a chemical compound found naturally in plant components such as cocoa and coffee beans, tea leaves and more foods and drinks, in addition to being added artificially in others, such as soft drinks, desserts, energy drinks and more.

Basically, the function of caffeine in the brain is to inhibit the reuptake of adenosine, a substance that the brain produces to generate drowsiness, a consequence of some changes in heart rate and vasodilation. By doing this, people feel more active and even focused.

The time it takes for caffeine to take effect in a person varies according to genetic factors, but usually ranges between 30 and 40 minutes, so we should take that into account when talking about the best time to drink your morning coffee . since its effect will not be immediate and we should allow at least half an hour to pass before we have the desired energy.

How much coffee do you need?

Since the duration of its effects on the body can vary between people, some people will need more than one cup a day to stay energized , while for others, just drinking a little coffee is enough to perform for the rest of the day.

And be careful, then we are faced with another factor why it is difficult to generally determine an exact schedule so that the morning coffee is perfect to maintain energy for the rest of the day, if we take into account that there will be those who are ready for anything. with a single cup, and others who need at least two, having to divide the morning into the time necessary for its consumption (because it is not convenient for you to drink coffee after a certain hour, if you want to sleep). So while some feel like a couple of cups is too much , for others it's just the start of the day.

Benefits of delaying your coffee

coffee, caffeine, morning beverage, health, wellness — Cup of coffee being made with a machine, image: Unsplash

As we mentioned before, caffeine consumption helps reduce fatigue because it inhibits the reuptake of adenosine in the brain and, therefore, reduces the feeling of drowsiness. Now, when we sleep, adenosine levels drop considerably, so when we wake up, they are at one of their lowest levels.

In that sense, drinking coffee when you wake up will give you less of an energy “rush” than if you drink it when a few hours have passed and adenosine levels are increasing in your body, generating physical and mental exhaustion.

According to Dr. Michael Grandner, director of the sleep and health research program at the University of Arizona, waiting 30 to 60 minutes after waking up can be a good option. However, he himself acknowledges that there are not enough studies to support this hypothesis and that it is, in reality, a matter of personal taste.

Furthermore, this can vary depending on each person's routine, since for those who exercise in the morning, an early coffee can improve their performance, while for those who need energy in the afternoon, if this drink is taken around midday, they will have more energy later. Of course, in no case is it recommended to take it six hours before going to sleep, as it can cause insomnia.

[via GQ Spain]