Improve your health by going decaf first thing in the morning

This might sound counter-intuitive, but drinking a decaf coffee, instead of a caffeinated one could be better for your long-term health.
 
Coffee is probably the more consumed beverage after water, and for good reason too. I LOVE COFFEE, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, but what has change is the type of coffee I choose during my first few hours awake.

Over the years and especially with intermittent fasting, I’ve learnt many things about coffee, but the most interesting thing I’ve found, is the data which suggests that drinking decaffeinated, instead of caffeinated, during your first few hours of the day, could better for your health. 
 
Now, this isn’t solely because of the coffee, but the compounding results of our lifestyles along with the effects of coffee – especially caffeinated – can add up over time.
 
Caffeine stimulates and acute cortisol response[1], the stress hormone, which isn’t a problem in small does and at the right time (before exercise or a fight), but since our cortisol levels are naturally elevated during the morning, and are usually at their highest, this could cause a compounding effect.
 
Especially since our response to caffeine and subsequent cortisol decreases with daily consumption[2], which leads to individuals consuming more caffeine. Unfortunately, the compounding doesn’t stop there, as this study was conducted on young healthy men and women – but what is healthy?
 
According to a report by the Lancet[3], over 95% of the world’s population have some sort of health problem, whilst over half of the population aren’t getting enough sleep according to another[4]. And, since we know that partial or total sleep deprivation raises cortisol level too[5], so you can easily see how quickly the compounding effect can take hold. We haven’t even mentioned any other life factors either (kids, work, exercise, etc).
 
Personally, I’d suggest riding the natural hormonal wave during your first few hours with some water, before opting for your first caffeinated drink.
 
I’d love to know what you think, please leave a comment below.
 
Speak soon, JC.
 
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2257922/#__ffn_sectitle
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15522942
[3] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150608081753.htm
[4] https://www.princess.com/news/news_releases/2018/07/Princess-Cruises-Expands-Annual-Relaxation-Report-Internationally.html
[5] https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/20/10/865/2725962