Natural coffee is a valuable ally for boosting our energy, but when should we really drink it to enjoy its benefits without suffering the drawbacks?
1. The benefits of coffee.
Well known to all, caffeine is a natural stimulant which:
- Optimizes physical performance: Natural caffeine acts as a real energy booster. By stimulating testosterone production, it improves strength, power, and endurance. This is why it is often consumed before physical exertion to maximize performance. (60 min before!)
- Improve focus and combat fatigue: As a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine promotes wakefulness and alertness. It helps you stay focused longer, improves short-term memory, and reduces feelings of fatigue.
- Promotes weight loss: Caffeine speeds up metabolism and promotes fat burning. It stimulates thermogenesis, which allows the body to burn more calories, thus facilitating weight loss.
Coffee is an excellent source of polyphenols and chlorogenic acid, powerful antioxidants that offer several health benefits:
- Cardiovascular protection : By reducing the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL), these antioxidants contribute to the health of the heart and arteries.
- Neuroprotective effect : Polyphenols protect brain cells against oxidative stress and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- Blood Sugar Regulation : Chlorogenic acid improves insulin sensitivity and helps control blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The benefits of coffee come from the natural caffeine it contains, unlike synthetic caffeine, which can be harmful to health due to its more aggressive effects on the body.
2. Natural coffee versus synthetic caffeine
Unlike natural caffeine from coffee, synthetic caffeine is often added to energy drinks and dietary supplements in high doses. Its rapid absorption and powerful effect can lead to several adverse effects:
Palpitations and hypertension : Synthetic caffeine can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate, increasing cardiovascular risk.
Addiction and nervousness : Regular use can lead to addiction, irritability and increased stress.
Altering the molecular functioning of brain cells: Studies suggest that synthetic caffeine could potentially affect neuronal plasticity, particularly in the hippocampus, a memory region.
3. When is the best time to drink your coffee?
Morning coffee
Coffee in the morning helps you wake up thanks to its caffeine content, but depending on the person, it might not be ideal first thing in the morning .
The Role of Cortisol
In the morning, our bodies naturally produce cortisol, a hormone that regulates stress, metabolism, and inflammation. Drinking coffee too early can disrupt cortisol production. Therefore, it's recommended to drink your coffee about 90 minutes after waking up, when cortisol levels naturally begin to decrease, allowing the coffee to work more effectively without disrupting the body (although studies show that regular coffee drinkers appear to be less affected).
Assess your stress level before drinking your coffee. If you're going through a stressful period (illness, lack of sleep, work pressure), caffeine may exacerbate this stress response. In these cases, delaying coffee consumption may be beneficial.
Afternoon Coffee
In the afternoon, coffee can be an excellent ally, especially for:
- Improve sports performance (ideal 60 min before training)
- Boost concentration and productivity at work
However, be careful with timing! Caffeine can stay in the body for 6 to 8 hours, which can disrupt sleep. The duration of action of caffeine varies between individuals, but on average, its half-life (the time it takes for half of the substance to be eliminated from the body) is about 5 hours. This means that if you consume a cup of coffee containing 100 mg of caffeine at 5 p.m., approximately 50 mg will remain in your system by 10 p.m. Therefore, to minimize the impact of caffeine on sleep, it is recommended to stop consuming it at least 8 to 9 hours before bed.
Sensitivity to caffeine.
Sensitivity to caffeine is largely influenced by genetic factors. Some people have more sensitive brain receptors or metabolize caffeine more slowly, prolonging its stimulating effects. Thus, while coffee may not directly prevent sleep onset in these individuals, it can still reduce sleep quality by reducing the duration of deep, restorative sleep.
Additionally, caffeine works by blocking receptors for adenosine, a brain chemical that promotes sleepiness. By inhibiting the action of adenosine, caffeine maintains a state of wakefulness, which can disrupt the natural sleep cycle and reduce its quality.
4. Conclusion
In short, coffee is an excellent ally provided you choose it well, not synthetic!! and know when to drink it. To promote quality sleep, it is recommended to limit caffeine consumption late in the day, taking into account your own individual sensitivity.
That's why we recommend drinking Daily Energy® in the morning or early afternoon!
Our coffee extract contains exclusively natural caffeine, which works synergistically with polyphenols and chlorogenic acid. This unique combination not only provides a boost of energy and endurance, but also protects the brain and cardiovascular system. Unlike synthetic caffeine, Daily Energy® maintains optimal balance for well-being and performance.
