It's hard to find a more controversial product than coffee. Today, the beneficial properties of the drink are finally recognized by scientists and doctors. Nutritionists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine believe that drinking coffee in moderation may reduce the risk of stroke, especially in women. Nutrition Advance profile media provides detailed information on how drinking coffee reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and liver disease. The Harvard School of Public Health writes that coffee combats not only the development of type 2 diabetes, but also some heart disease and depression, and also reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Donald Hensrud, assistant professor of preventive medicine and nutrition at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, notes among the beneficial properties of coffee the prevention of heart attack, stroke, heart attacks and increased life expectancy.
It seems doctors have finally found something as healthy as it tastes good. Let's drink coffee as soon as we wake up to start getting the benefits as early as possible! At this moment, doctors may burst into our kitchen shouting: “Not this!” There is a lot of talk about the fact that it is better not to drink coffee after 16:00 in order not to have problems sleeping. But not everyone knows about the dangers of coffee early in the morning.
Still from the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
Research shows that drinking coffee can significantly affect cortisol levels, especially if you drink it in the morning when cortisol levels are already at their peak. The caffeine contained in coffee stimulates the central nervous system and causes increased production of cortisol. Chronically high levels of cortisol can cause health problems. Excess of this hormone disrupts the natural balance of estrogen, testosterone and insulin, which leads to the accumulation of fat, especially in the abdominal area, increasing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, cortisol puts pressure on cognitive function, reducing the ability to learn and concentrate, and suppresses the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections. Disruptions to the normal sleep cycle caused by excess cortisol can lead to fatigue and exhaustion, while long-term high levels contribute to the development of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. This hormone also accelerates bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Cortisol levels in the human body naturally fluctuate throughout the day, rising in the morning to help wake you up and falling in the evening to prepare the body for sleep. Experts in nutrition and endocrinology advise delaying drinking coffee for a few hours after waking up to give cortisol levels a chance to naturally decline.
A good time to have your first cup of coffee is mid-morning or early afternoon. For example, if you wake up at 7 am, then it is best to drink your first cup of coffee between 9:30 and 11:30, when your cortisol levels begin to decline. This will help avoid unnecessary stress on the body and maintain hormone balance throughout the day.
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It is worth considering the individual characteristics of caffeine perception. For sensitive people, even weak coffee during the day can cause trembling in the hands and unhealthy agitation, while at the same time, people who are more tolerant to caffeine may not feel anything like this even after a double espresso. This is due to varying sensitivity to caffeine, which may depend on genetic factors, diet, and level of exercise.
If a person adheres to intermittent fasting and immediately drinks coffee after a long break, the reaction to it will be more pronounced.
Pre-workout caffeine (whether in the form of a traditional drink or a canned energy drink) increases cortisol levels more than similar exercise without stimulation. In cases of mental overload or stress, coffee also acts as a catalyst for the production of cortisol. So if you're tired and nervous, a coffee break might not be the best idea. Regardless of the type of stressor (mental or physical), repeated doses of caffeine consistently increase cortisol levels throughout the day. This suggests a significant stimulatory effect of caffeine on the adrenal cortex and cortisol release.
However, regular coffee consumption may cause the body to adapt to caffeine, which slightly alters its effect on cortisol levels. Regular coffee drinkers may not experience the same pronounced cortisol spikes as occasional coffee drinkers. This suggests that some degree of tolerance may develop in response to regular caffeine consumption.
As with many aspects of health, it is important to be mindful of your coffee consumption. It is necessary to take into account general recommendations and personal characteristics. By experimenting with the time of drinking coffee and observing the body's reaction, you can find your ideal rhythm and drink (or not drink) coffee for pleasure.
Still from the TV series Twin Peaks
