Drinking Coffee in the Morning vs. Afternoon, Which is Healthier?

Coffee is one of the drinks that is loved by many people. However, some assumptions say that drinking coffee in the morning is actually healthier than in the afternoon, is it true?

Drinking coffee in the morning can reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes. This is compared to drinking coffee throughout the day or not drinking at all, according to a new study in Europe.

Everyday Health writer Tom Gavin explains that morning coffee drinkers are 31 percent less likely to die from heart disease and 16 percent less likely to die prematurely from any cause, compared to people who don’t drink coffee or drink coffee throughout the day.

Is drinking coffee in the afternoon unhealthy?

There is no clear explanation to describe that drinking coffee in the afternoon is unhealthy. However, Dr. Qi suspects that consuming coffee in the afternoon has the opposite effect.

Drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening may disrupt circadian rhythms and hormone levels like melatonin. This, in turn, leads to changes in cardiovascular risk factors like inflammation and blood pressure.

The authors also note that coffee contains some anti-inflammatory properties that work best in the morning, versus the evening. However, there may be other contributing factors.

Morning coffee drinkers may have better overall health and lifestyle habits than those who drink coffee throughout the day, according to Nishant Shah, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. This supports the idea that drinking coffee in the morning may be healthier.

How much coffee is recommended?

Most prospective studies have found that moderate coffee consumption — about 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine a day, or about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee — is associated with a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Morning coffee drinkers benefit from a lower risk if they consume two to three cups. 

However, it is better not to overdo it when consuming coffee, yes! Because it will affect your digestive health. And remember that the benefits will be different if you add sugar to your coffee, especially with a lot of sugar.