When is the Right Time to Drink Coffee
Waking up too early in the morning might be difficult for some people who always rely on a cup of coffee to keep them awake. However, this practice has been disapproved by different studies stating that morning is not the best time to drink a cup of coffee. Based on some scientific approach, this is mainly due to the high levels of cortisol in our body, especially in the morning.
Coffee History, Ethiopian Legend
Coffee was accidentally discovered by Kaldi, an Arabian shepherd while looking for his goats. He noticed something different about his animals. Moreover, he assumed that the shrub that bears cherry-like fruits is the reason for the peculiar behavior of the herd. He proved this true after trying to eat some it himself.
However, based on recent botanical documentation points out that the history of the beans started of the central Ethiopia plateaus. It could have been taken along to Yemen and was cultivated during the 6th century. Following the establishment of the first cafes in Mecca and Cairo, coffee turned into a passion instead of being just a stimulating beverage.
Types of Coffee
Coffee has different types, and of course, as coffee lovers, we’d like to try the most preferred choices.
Brewed Coffee.
This is made using the drip coffee maker. It one of the most-sought coffee drink because both the ground coffee and coffee makers are a bargain. The preparation is easy and brewing time will not take long which usually lasts for 5 minutes.
Espresso.
It is an Italian word for “express” and is defined by its frothy cream-like topping. To prepare this type of coffee beverage, the water is heated almost to boiling point and is pressed under pressure over adequately ground coffee beans. The espresso is a bit thicker compared to brewed coffee because the ratio of water is less than the ground coffee itself. The greater concentration of diluted and suspended solids adds to the accumulation of caffeine.
Cappuccino.
This coffee drink is of Italian origin, but its distinctive taste has already spread worldwide. Its preparation includes espresso, hot steamed milk, and hot milk. This is for coffee drinkers who like cream incorporated into their coffee. During the 19th century, Viennese call this beverage Kapunizer with their version of using whipped cream.
Americano.
This is also known as American coffee where hot water is radically added to espresso. It has a strong flavor and has the same amount of caffeine like the drip coffee made from a home coffee maker machine. Adding hot water to the espresso is called Americano, but if you add espresso to the hot water, it called long black. Don’t get confused.
Café Latte.
It is essentially an espresso combined with steamed milk. This coffee drink contains one-third of espresso, two-thirds of either hot or steamed milk, and about a centimeter of delectable foam. It is up to the barista how the latte will look like.
Turkish Coffee.
This refers to the process of how the brew is prepared and not where it is processed or grown. The coffee beans are roasted, grounded finely and boiled in an extraordinary pot known as cezve. Sugar is usually added to the brew and dispensed to serving cups where the grounds are left to settle. This type of coffee beverage is usually served in Bali, the Balkans, North Africa, Caucasus, and the Middle East and likewise to different Eastern Europe locations.
Café Macchiato.
This is also known as Espresso Macchiato commonly served with a modest trickle of milk. The term “macchiato” is an Italian word which means “spotted” or “stained.” The beverage can be served either hot or cold according to the customer’s preference. Another version of this drink is the Latte Macchiato where milk is stained with coffee and is much alike to Café Latte.
Health Benefits of Coffee
We look up to coffee mostly for mental alertness, but there is something more than to it than you can ever imagine. This substance is one of the most studied subjects, and researchers found that coffee has more to offer aside from keeping you awake.
- Longer life span
- Reduce risks of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke heart attack, and heart failure
- It reduce risks of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and gout problems
- Reduce risks of uterine and liver problems
Health Risks of Coffee
Although coffee has many benefits, there are also health risks involved if taken too much.
- Bladder and pancreatic cancer are found by researchers to be possibly linked to too much coffee intake.
- Esophageal cancer could be triggered by drinking coffee and other beverages that exceed 149 °F according to a report released by the World Health Organization.
- Cardiovascular disease can be lessened but can also develop if the consumption is more than the provided amount.
Effects
You could be enjoying your daily cups of coffee as well as the daily dose of caffeine. When the body of consumes caffeine while the cortisol levels are high, it produces negative effects. First is that caffeine restricts the production of cortisol. If these hormones become deficient, the body will depend on caffeine to repair.
The second negative effect of consuming coffee in the morning is the increase in the individual’s tolerance to caffeine. This is because it alters the essential boost driven by cortisol instead of increasing it.
Studies
According to a 2009 research, cortisol is relatively high not just from the time you wake up but thrice the whole day. The best times to take a cup or cups of coffee are between 10 am and noon and from 2 pm and 5 pm.
In the US alone, about 85% of the population have a regular coffee intake. This is also the presumed reason why more than 40% of them have trouble getting a good night sleep. Increasing the cortisol levels in the body through caffeine intake could make you feel wearier at a later time once the effect of caffeine and cortisol subsided.
If you want to stay alert and energetic throughout the day, it is better to get more rest the night before. If you cannot help taking your daily cup on the morning ritual, consume it at a later time. Do not take this beverage after 5 pm as it will disrupt your sleep up to six hours.