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Sleep expert says theres a perfect time to drink pumpkin spice latte
Yes, there is a perfect time to drink a pumpkin spice latte. No, its not all the time&
The role pumpkins play in American festive celebrations has a long and fascinating history, beginning in Peru. The role they play in our lives is cool, too, especially during the transitional period between summer and winter. Pumpkins are awesome, and even if you dont get much pumpkin in a Starbucks PSL, the iconic coffee drink plays a crucial role in many Americans experiences of fall and Halloween.
Beware combining pumpkin spice latte with bodys own espresso shot
When you wake up, your body initiates its cortisol awakening response, or CAR. Science Direct explains that this is the natural increase in cortisol levels that happens shortly after waking up.�
Its influenced by things like stress, mood disorders, and physical health risks. The CAR leads to an increase in cortisol release of between 50% and 75%, and peaks about half an hour after you wake up.�
This is the worst time to drink coffee, according to Rex Isap, chief executive of Happy Beds, since your bodys own espresso shot is already getting you going. Combining the two can lead to the jitters.�
Youd be doubling up on stimulants, he says, which can make you jittery and build up your caffeine tolerance faster.
How long you should wait before your morning coffee, and when to stop
Rex reckons we should all be waiting two hours before our morning cup of joe.
This way, youre giving your body time to calm down from that natural cortisol spike. The drop in stress hormones creates the perfect window for caffeine, he says, during which you can compliment your bodys wake-up chemicals, instead of fighting against them.
Americans go to bed at 11:39 pm, on average, according to Sleep Cycle. They spend 7 hours and 18 minutes in bed each night, and rise �again, on average �at 7:09 am.
This means that 9:09 am is the perfect time for the average American to drink (their first cup of) coffee in the morning. If your beverage of choice is a pumpkin spice latte, this makes 9:09 am the perfect time to drink Starbucks iconic fall brew.
If you wake up at 8 am, try waiting until 10 am for your morning mug.
As far as caffeine cut-off times are concerned, youd be wise to take into account the stimulants 6-hour half-life, since it can lead to morning anxiety and caffeine withdrawal.
Following this logic, Rex recommends being caffeine-free after 2:45 pm. This isnt a hard-and-fast rule, but cutting out caffeine within six hours of bedtime tends to be a good rule of thumb.
- TRY THESE INSTEAD: Five natural alternatives to your morning brew, from experts
