Is there an ideal time to drink coffee?

A lot of influential people popularized the idea that it is preferable not to drink coffee (or other sources of caffeine, such as tea or coffee). match) in the first 90 to 120 minutes after waking up to naturally boost energy and avoid the afternoon crash. However, several scientists studying the relationship between caffeine and sleep say that while delaying your morning coffee may have some benefits, there’s no strong evidence to support it.

Experts believe that our bodies produce a chemical called adenosine, which binds to receptors in our brains and makes us feel sleepy, the expert says. New York TimesHere, caffeine blocks these receptors, counteracting the effect, explains Marilyn Cornelis, a researcher studying the effects of caffeine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in the United States.

However, the effects of caffeine do not appear immediately, but start to take effect after 20 to 30 minutes, says Michael Grandner, director of the sleep and health research program at the University of Arizona in the US.

How long caffeine helps us stay alert varies widely, partly due to genetic factors, says Marilyn Cornelis. For some people, one source of morning caffeine can keep them energized “for most of the day,” the researcher says. Others clear the caffeine from their system more quickly and may want another cup of coffee a few hours later, she adds. “Everyone reacts differently to caffeine,” says Cornelis. New York TimesTherefore, he emphasizes, there is no single ideal solution for determining the time of drinking coffee.

Researcher Michael Grandner explains that one reason that could explain the possible benefits of delaying coffee drinking is that after waking up, adenosine levels (the substance that makes us sleepy) are at their lowest and increase throughout the day. It is therefore more cost-effective to consume caffeine later so that the caffeine blocks more adenosine. If we also intend to drink just one coffee and want to be sure that its effect lasts throughout the day, it is wise to postpone the morning drink until late in the morning, the expert adds. Despite the explanations, Grandner emphasizes that “it is a matter of personal preference.”

There are even situations in which drinking caffeine in the morning is highly desirable, such as if you plan to exercise in the morning, says Allison Brager, a neuroscientist with the U.S. Army.

What’s more, there’s no harm in having a second coffee (or another source of caffeine) if and when your energy levels dip, like around midday, but it’s important not to do so within six hours of bedtime (or eight to 12 hours if you have trouble falling asleep), says Michael Grandner. However, if you feel like you need caffeine during the day just to function, consult a sleep specialist, the researcher advises, as it could be a symptom of a treatable disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea, the same source warns.

Speaking to the North American newspaper, Michael Gradner also reminds us that coffee and tea contain more than just caffeine, they are also excellent sources of antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, which explains some of their health benefits. For many people, coffee helps with bowel movements, the scientists explain, and is also a source of morning pleasure, the benefits of which are undeniable.