Does your morning coffee really boost energy?
If you're a coffee-before-anything kinda gyal, you might want to rethink that approach if you're trying to rebalance your energy. Here's why:
☕️ Caffeine increases levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), which is already naturally higher first thing in the morning.
☕️ If you're drinking your coffee before eating, your stress hormone will spike - cue the knock-on effect on insulin, blood sugar, feelings of anxiety and flagging energy levels.
☕️ Even if you're eating first, caffeine is still a nervous-system stimulant. Nervous system stimulation = anxious jitters, racing heart, pit in stomach (all the good stuff).
So should you stop drinking coffee full stop? As always, it depends.
Some of us are genetically hardwired to be more sensitive to caffeine's effects than others (interesting side note, I took part in a study which revealed I have a genetic mutation which means I don’t metabolise caffeine well!). Hence why your bestie might enjoy the perks of a flat white, while you're still suffering the side effects hours later.
How do you know whether it's right for you? Ask yourself:
❓How do I feel physically after drinking it?
❓Do I notice any negative effects? (jitters, palpitations, extra speedy digestion 💩)
❓How does it affect my energy and mood throughout the morning?
❓Can I go without it, or is it a struggle?
Keep a record of these things over a period of time to see whether you're better off without. Maybe even try going without for a week or two and compare. As a woman, you may also find your response to caffeine varies at different times of the month due to the fluctuating hormones of your menstrual cycle, so this is something really interesting to take notice of too. Above all, listen to your body ✌️
Want your coffee fix without the jitters? Try London Nootropics. Infused with adaptogens like Lion's Mane mushroom and ashwagandha to help you find your flow, I find these a perfect alternative to my usual coffee. Use the code YOUTRITION to get 20% off your order 🥰