WASHINGTON — There is a science to packing the best punch into a caffeine routine. But most caffeine drinkers have been going about it all wrong, according to a new video by AsapScience.
While millions of people might wake up in a stupor stumbling to the kitchen every morning to immediately down a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage, they might rethink the move. The video explains that kind of habit could eventually work against them over time.
According to the video, one’s internal biological clock — the Circadian Rhythm — regulates many processes throughout the body including how sleepy you are during the day. This clock also controls the release of cortisol — the stress hormone. Cortisol is produced when bodies enter a flight-or-fight mode, but it’s also linked to alertness levels. When are people most likely to produce it?
Cortisol levels peak between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., meaning that the body has a natural mechanism to wake up. And while one might think consuming caffeine around this time of day can complement this mechanism, scientists say otherwise. They find consuming caffeinated beverages during peak cortisol production hours greatly diminishes caffeine’s effect and builds up a greater tolerance to the drug in the long-run resulting in less of a buzz and the need for even more caffeine to stay awake over time.
Scientists say it is best to drink up after the 9 a.m. cortisol surge. Other optimal times to drink coffee are again outside the times of other cortisol spikes during the day — typically between noon and 1 p.m. and between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
But what it you are an early bird or a night owl then should you drink right away? Scientists say cortisol levels increase about 50 percent right after you wake up regardless of the time. So it is suggested to wait at least one hour after waking up for that morning cup and your body will be optimally ready to go.
Watch the video for tips:
