It may seem like getting a morning caffeine burst is just as easy as sipping that iced latte. But it turns out there is a real art to getting the absolute most productive energy from that cup. And this new AsapSCIENCE video is here to explain it all.
As the video says, it all comes down to your circadian rhythms, which are heavily influenced by sunlight. One part of this is the cyclical release of cortisol, sometimes known as the "stress hormone" — but it's not all bad. It also helps keep you alert. We naturally reach our peak cortisol levels between about 8 and 9 a.m. and then again at noon, meaning we get a natural burst of alertness during those times.
It seems counterintuitive, but coffee actually reduces that cortisol response. So, you're best off drinking your morning cup between 9 a.m. and noon when your cortisol levels are lower, which, luckily, is probably when most of us are drinking it anyways. And, because your cortisol increases a ton as you begin waking up, for optimal energy, try to wait an hour or so after that before grabbing that joe regardless of when you're up — or when you went to bed.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT