New Delhi: A morning cup of coffee is more than just a serving of caffeine for many – many look at it as the much-needed motivation to even get out of bed. And while scientists have well established that there is a right number of cups of coffee for health, they have now moved to the ideal time to drink it. Yes, turns out, one can make the most of the benefits of coffee by simply drinking it at the right time. An expert wrote in the Times that drinking coffee at a specific time can help one become an early bird while also reducing stress hormone (cortisol) levels in the body.
According to experts, drinking coffee 90 minutes after waking up can be good for the body as this is when cortisol levels start to peak. This hormone gives a sense of alertness in the morning and it usually peaks 30 minutes after waking up. Therefore, it is the best time to drink coffee as it starts to drop right after. Therefore, coffee can work best to sustain alertness that starts to drop not long after.
Experts say that drinking coffee one and a half hours later, once cortisol starts to drop, helps lengthen morning focus thereby implying that even the last cup is just as important. Ideally, one must drink the last cup of coffee before lunch as caffeine continues to linger around even five hours after intake. It does not usually clear up until nine to 10 hours after the first sip. This gives a psychological boost in the morning.
Is coffee all about cognitive health?
A study published in Ageing Research Reviews found that coffee has many other health benefits to offer. Turns out, the caffeinated drink can also prevent cognitive decline over time. For this, a team of Portuguese researchers analysed 50 studies and evaluated how coffee affects ageing and health. They found that regular intake of the drink can add up to 1.8 years to life. At a time when longevity is a concern for many and living to be 100 or beyond is largely restricted to the Blue Zones, such studies offer a ray of hope for others.
Furthermore, experts note that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of suffering from heart disease as compared to non-coffee drinkers. The drink can also support weight loss goals; however, one must not go overboard. Doctors say that three cups of coffee in a day is the upper limit and anything more than that can result in palpitations, insomnia, and hypertension. Therefore, to maximise the benefits, it is imperative to stick to the sweet spot of three cups and let the polyphenols in the drink do their job.
A study published in Ageing Research Reviews found that coffee has many other health benefits to offer. Turns out, the caffeinated drink can also prevent cognitive decline over time. For this, a team of Portuguese researchers analysed 50 studies and evaluated how coffee affects ageing and health. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
