Waking up and craving caffeine is part of a daily routine for many.
There has been the assumption for so long that coffee can perk you up and help brace your system for the long day of work ahead.
Alas, it seems drinking coffee first thing is actually counter-productive. What’s worse, drinking a cup morning coffee in the long run can lead people to build a tolerance for the drug, thereby diminishing its effect down the road.
According to The Washington Post, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol which is a key component of our natural, day-long hormonal cycle known as the circadian clock. When our body releases cortisol, we feel more alert and awake.
Cortisol peaks early in the morning and the problem with drinking coffee during these peak times is that caffeine tends to interfere with cortisol production. The body then begins producing the natural hormone and starts relying on caffeine.
Don’t worry though, if you’re craving a cup of the good stuff, you won’t have long to wait as peak times only continue until 9.00am. Cortisol peaks again between 12pm and 1pm and again between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
This video from popular channel ASAP Science explains in detail.
