People all over the world love coffee and for different reasons. Some enjoy it for the taste, others for the energy boost it provides and others as a comforting ritual.
While personal preferences vary, a significant portion of the global population consumes coffee daily, with some even becoming ‘coffee-obsessed’.
On a weekly column, news.com.au, coffee enthusiast Joel Gawler, reached out for advice on the “most beneficial” time of day to have his coffee, to give “that extra bit of zing” in his step.
Dr Zac Turner, medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness, responded to his query, however his response was something most coffee drinkers should want to hear.
Dr Zac came forward with a “hard truth” – one most will find hard to accept. He said: “most people are drinking coffee at the absolute worst time of the day – and it’s sabotaging their energy without them even realising it.”
Coffee is widely enjoyed as part of a morning ritual, but it can be detrimental to consume first thing in the day. This is because it disrupts your body’s natural cortisol rhythm, a stress hormone that naturally rises in the morning to help you wake up. Drinking coffee when cortisol levels are already high can lead to overstimulation, anxiety, and a potential tolerance to caffeine’s effects, setting you up “for a massive crash”.
Other negative impacts from coffee first thing in the day is its interference with the absorption of certain nutrients, especially if consumed before a meal. It’s also a diuretic, meaning it can increase urination and potentially lead to dehydration, which is counterproductive after a night of sleep.
This doesn’t mean you have to phase coffee out of your life forever, rather alter your relationship with it. Instead of as part of your morning ritual, it can be a midday pick me up when you’re beginning to feel as though the day is catching up to you.
As long as you don’t drink it in the evening, as this can disrupt sleep – leading to a plethora of other issues.
So, now that you know that it may be time to replace that coffee in your ritual, there are numerous alternatives that offer a boost of energy and focus without the harmful effects.
A few less harsh caffeinated options are:
- Green tea – Provides a boost of energy with the added benefit of L-theanine, which can help with focus and reduce anxiety.
- Matcha – Whilst enjoyed in East Asia for centuries, it’s had a recent surge in popularity in the West. This powdered green tea offers a slow-refreshing caffeine and L-theanine, promoting sustained energy.
- Black Tea (English breakfast) – This popular morning beverage is a great alternative, as it provides a moderate caffeine boost.
If you’ve made the decision to go caffeine-free, here are some options that will leave you feeling refreshed:
- Warm water with lemon – A simple hydration option that can help with digestion and provide a refreshing start to your day.
- Herbal teas – There are a variety of flavours to choose from, each with their own benefits, like peppermint’s potential to aid digestion or ginger’s ability to boost circulation. My personal favorite is ‘mango leaf’, as it helps regulate my blood sugar, improve my digestion, and offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Golden Milk – A warm, comforting beverage with the added benefits of turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.