Research by the Center for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism at the University of Bath (UK) looked at the effects of a cup of black coffee on 29 healthy men and women.
The subjects were asked to go through 3 different conditions in random order:
- A person sleeps normally at night, then has a sugary drink in the morning.
- A person is awakened 5 minutes after each hour and has a sugary drink for breakfast.
- A person with interrupted sleep is given a half an hour of coffee before having a sugary drink in the morning.
After taking blood samples from the participants, the researchers found that those who drank coffee before consuming sugary drinks had a 50% spike in blood sugar compared to the other subjects.
The researchers say that while drinking coffee has many effects, taking before breakfast increases insulin resistance. Over time, this leads to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.
“Our blood sugar control is impaired when the first food our bodies consume is coffee, especially after a sleepless night,” said study co-author James Betts.
“We can improve this by eating first and then drinking coffee later if we still need it. Knowing this has health benefits for all of us.”
Besides, drinking coffee early in the morning is not the best way for you to get the most out of the energy boost you expect.
Experts evaluate that the best way is to follow the level of cortisol – stress hormone, secreted during the day. Assuming you wake up at 6:30, the best time to drink caffeinated coffee is between 9:30 and 11:30 to avoid any adverse reactions.