Introduction: Drinking coffee at the right time might make it twice as effective. According to a report by The Daily Telegraph on November 6, neuroscientists from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Maryland, USA, have calculated the best time to drink coffee is between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM.
This is because the interaction effect between caffeine and an important hormone in the human body (cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone) reaches its optimal state during this period.
Cortisol helps the body regulate its own biological clock and increases alertness. Cortisol levels peak shortly after waking and can remain high for up to an hour, with the average peak occurring between 8 AM and 9 AM. Researchers believe that drinking coffee after this peak is more effective because it promotes cortisol production when its levels are declining.
Furthermore, drinking coffee when the body's cortisol levels are at their highest can lead to caffeine tolerance, meaning more coffee is needed to feel alert. A similar concept exists in pharmacology: taking medication when it's most needed; otherwise, the body develops resistance. In other words, drinking coffee with breakfast does not provide a significant energizing effect.
The researchers also pointed out that although cortisol levels peak between 8 AM and 9 AM, they reach another peak between 12 PM and 1 PM, and again between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Additionally, a person's cortisol levels are related to their physical constitution and daily routine. People who wake up later should drink their coffee later in the day.