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You shouldn’t drink coffee as soon as you wake up or six hours before bed, a sleep expert has revealed. 

Dr Deborah Lee, Get Laid Beds’ resident Sleep Expert, said the cortisol hormone ‘follows a rhythm specific to your own sleeping cycle’ which peaks within 30-45 minutes of waking up then gradually declines throughout the day. 

As a result, Dr Lee said the best time for a morning coffee is at 10am or, at the earliest, 45 minutes after waking up in the morning. 

Drinking it earlier than that can make you ‘immune’ to coffee over time. 

Caffeine works by blocking sleep-promoting receptors in your brain called adenosine receptors, and can also make it difficult to sleep at night if coffee is consumed too late in the day. 

Dr Deborah Lee, Get Laid Beds' resident Sleep Expert, said at the earliest the best time to drink a morning coffee is 45 minutes after waking up. But the ideal time is at 10am - assuming if you wake up at 7am (stock image)

Dr Deborah Lee, Get Laid Beds’ resident Sleep Expert, said at the earliest the best time to drink a morning coffee is 45 minutes after waking up. But the ideal time is at 10am – assuming if you wake up at 7am (stock image)

When is the best time to drink coffee?

Dr Lee explained 10am is the perfect time for a caffeinated uplift.

‘If you’re someone that wakes up at around 7am, for example, leaving your first coffee until around 10am to 12pm will be when your body, and mind, will appreciate it the most and you’ll get the most benefits from the caffeine,’ she said.  

‘Taking into account your own rhythm, the best time to have your caffeine fix would be, at the earliest, 45-minutes after waking up – when your cortisol rhythm starts to dip.’

She explained when you wake up the stress hormone cortisol level is at its peak, which enhances alertness and focus while also regulating metabolism and the immune system. 

‘Elevated levels of cortisol may impact your immune system, and if they’re already at its peak when waking up, drinking coffee as soon as your eyes open may do more harm than good, and may even make you immune to caffeine over a long period of time,’ she said. 

When should you stop drinking coffee for a better night’s sleep? 

It’s also recommended to stop drinking coffee at least six hours before bedtime for a better night’s rest – especially those who struggle unwinding at night.

However, Dr Lee pointed out this varies from person to person depending on their caffeine tolerance.

‘To avoid messing up your sleeping pattern, avoid any caffeine after 3pm including coffee, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and even non-caffeinated tea,’ she said.

‘Try switching to herbal teas if you need a hot drink to stay warm, or decaf to trick yourself into thinking you’re getting your caffeine fix. Your sleep schedule will thank you!’

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Post source: Daily mail