Coffee is one of the world’s most beloved caffeine-based beverages, with millions enjoying its invigorating smell and taste every day. Depending on who you ask and when you’re drinking it, the optimal time of day for wine varies, as there are different caffeine sensitivities and other factors to consider.
In general, everyone has different individual preferences to how much coffee they can drink and at what time, with many factors to consider such as activity level, stress levels, caffeine sensitivity and the time of day.
Balancing all these elements can be difficult to determine the perfect time to drink coffee and the experts agree. Many factors must be assessed to establish what time of day is best to drink coffee.
Health and Lifestyle Considerations
Different age groups, health and lifestyle conditions have to be taken into account when deciding the best time to drink coffee. For example, people over the age of 65 have higher sensitivity to the stimulant effects of coffee, which can result in restlessness, difficulty sleeping and increased heart rate.
It is also necessary to consider general health and nutrition, as drinking coffee on an empty stomach can further add to intestinal discomfort and other health-damaging outcomes. Nutritionists suggest that not only should coffee be interacted with balanced meals, but it may also be necessary to avoid certain foods, such as chocolate and sugary treats, which can take away from the coffee’s optimal taste.
Many nutritionists suggest that the ideal time to drink coffee is between 12 pm and 2 pm and then again in the early evening around 4 pm to 5 pm. This coincides with the natural dips in the body’s cortisol levels which, for most people, occurs during these periods of the day.
Cortisol is a hormone that helps regulate the amount of energy your body has available to use during the day. When it is low, drinking coffee can help to give you that extra boost of alertness and focus. When it is higher, coffee may be better consumed a few hours later, after it has dropped.
Individual Habits and Preferences
Although the advice given by experts is valid it is also important to consider an individual’s habits and preferences when deciding when they should drink coffee. Many people enjoy having coffee first thing in the morning when they wake up, in order to give themselves a kick-start to the day. However, this could have a compounding effect of increased restlessness and difficulty sleeping if your cortisol levels are not low enough at this time.
If you’re an evening person, then drinking coffee later in the day is probably better for your energy levels as it can help keep you alert and focused late into the night. This is especially true for students and those who work in more mentally demanding fields like software development, marketing and accounting.
Finally, if you’re the type of person who starts to flag during the day, then re-fueling with a cup of coffee can help to restore your enthusiasm and get you back on track. But it’s important to be aware of how your body processes caffeine so you don’t overdo it and suffer from unpleasant side effects later on.
Pay Attention To Caffeine Content
The amount of caffeine in coffee can also be a decider in when to drink it. Lower amounts of caffeine may be better enjoyed in the morning, especially if you’re finding the stimulant effects of caffeine are causing you to be restless and unable to sleep. It is a good idea to experiment with the amount of caffeine you consume by trying different types of coffee and looking for lower-caffeine options.
Also keep in mind that raw coffee beans can provide more potent caffeine boosts than traditional brewed cups of coffee, but if you don’t like the taste they may not be the best choice. It is also worth noting that cold brew coffees contain less acidity than hot brewed versions.
So, if you’re looking for a more balanced cup with a good strength of both acidity and caffeine then cold brew coffees may be the right choice.
Effects on Sleep
Caffeine can interfere with your sleep if consumed at the wrong times or in higher quantities, because it takes up to six hours to pass through your system. So drinking coffee just a few hours before bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy coffee as a nightcap, however. In fact, some research suggests that a small cup of coffee an hour or two before bedtime could help you relax and get a better night’s sleep.
Even if you are fine with drinking coffee before bed, be sure to limit your intake to one small cup and steer clear of coffee flavors and blends with added sugar.
Experiment and Know Your Own Body
Knowing the right time to drink coffee depends on who you ask and as it amenable to personal taste, the best time of day may ultimately be determined by experimentation.
But, as with most things when it comes to your health, it’s incredibly important to know your own body and its limits, which is in part why the experts suggest micro-dosing coffee when expanding personal caffeine tolerance.
People have different sensitivities to caffeine and the effects will vary accordingly. It’s best to start slowly and slowly increase over time to find the optimal dose and time for you.
Effects of Coffee on Energy Levels
Coffee has long been celebrated for its ability to help boost energy levels and alertness, as the use of caffeine is known to heighten stimulation of the nervous system. Although coffee’s particular power of aiding in the elevation of an individual’s alertness may differ from person to person, the impact can be significant, particularly for those engaging in undergrads in college, high-pressure work environments, or even completing homework on a regular basis.
One encouraging factor to be aware of with coffee is that it has been shown to supply a good duration of energy after consumption, allowing the individual to better sustain energy levels throughout the day. Whether that means skipping the afternoon energy slump or helping to achieve better grades in school, drinking coffee can provide those positive outcomes and often do so with a fraction of the amount of energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages.
Limiting Negative Side Effects
As beneficial as coffee may be, it doesn’t come without some potential drawbacks. Coffee may often be associated with such negative effects as jitters, dizziness, heart-racing and headaches. But these side effects may largely be avoided and often can be attributed to consuming too much of it or drinking it at particular times without knowing your individual limits.
Being aware of your own body and its limitations should be a key consideration when deciding when to drink coffee. For instance, if you’re someone who has found themselves extra jittery after drinking a cup of coffee, then drinking it closer to bedtime certainly may not be the best option.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, different individuals may have different preferences as to when they believe is the right time to enjoy coffee. But as long as you pay attention to the considerations outlined above and experiment to find what works best for you and your body, then you should have a better chance of experiencing the full extent of the benefits of coffee.
