Improve your mood by drinking coffee at the right time of day

Researchers found that drinking coffee in the morning had a more pronounced effect on improving mood than at other times of the day.

Drinking a cup of coffee between 9:30 and 11:00 AM can help you enjoy the maximum benefits. (Source: Pixabay)

Coffee is known for its stimulating effects on the central nervous system, improving cognitive performance and altering mood. While coffee has been extensively studied in the laboratory, its effects in everyday life are less explored .

To understand the impact of coffee on daily life, researchers from Bielefeld University (Germany) and Warwick University (England) tracked the behavior and mood of 236 young people for four weeks.

Participants were given questionnaires on their smartphones seven times a day. They were asked to report their current mood and whether they had consumed caffeinated beverages in the previous 90 minutes.

Researchers also investigated whether coffee has different effects on individuals.

Justin Hachenberger, from the University of Bielefeld (Germany), said: "We were quite surprised to find no differences between groups with different caffeine consumption levels or between people with varying degrees of depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders."

The association between caffeine intake and positive or negative emotions was generally fairly consistent across all groups.

Researchers expected that people with high anxiety levels would experience negative mood changes, such as increased restlessness, when drinking coffee. However, this is not actually the case.

They found that people who regularly consume caffeine tend to have a better mood after drinking a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage. This effect is much more pronounced in the morning than at other times of the day.

Researchers explain that caffeine's mood-enhancing effects appear in the morning, thanks to its ability to block adenosine receptors, which promotes alertness and makes people feel more energetic.

Professor Anu Realo from the University of Warwick added: "Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, which can increase dopamine activity in key brain regions – an effect associated with improved mood and increased alertness."

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is currently no scientific evidence to determine the "best time" to drink coffee. However, a cup of coffee between 9:30 and 11:00 AM may help you enjoy the maximum benefits that coffee offers.

This is the time when cortisol levels—the hormone that keeps the body alert—begin to decrease, so the effects of caffeine will be strongest.

The habit of drinking coffee to feel happier and more alert dates back centuries.

"Approximately 80% of adults worldwide consume caffeinated beverages, and the use of such stimulants has a long history among humankind."

"Even wild animals consume caffeine; honeybees and bumblebees both prefer nectar from plants containing this substance," said Professor Sakari Lemola of Bielefeld University, the lead author of the study.

Although coffee can improve mood, researchers warn that caffeine can lead to dependence. Furthermore, excessive caffeine consumption is linked to various other health risks. Drinking caffeine late in the day can also lead to sleep problems.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cai-thien-tam-trang-bang-cach-uong-ca-phe-dung-thoi-diem-trong-ngay-331679.html