11 Lesser-Known Facts About How Coffee Actually Affects Us At Work

Coffe and work are perfect pairs. Normally, we don't really think about our coffee drinking habits while we're at work, but there are a number of ways that you can easily increase the efficacy of your favorite caffeinated beverage. Read on to discover the best times to drink the stuff, how to prolong the effects, and many more tips!

Coffee Works Best At Certain Times

Though you might think it’s the caffeine that helps you get going in the morning, the truth is, your body is already naturally waking you up. Your body produces the stress hormone cortisol most in the morning at around 7am, at midday around 12, and in the evening at 6pm. This means that the ideal times for your coffee fix are from 9:30-11:30 and from 1:30-5pm. Drinking coffee when your cortisol dips will make the best use of your expensive lattes and your work day.

Reptition Versus Creativity

Have to type repetitive entries on your keyboard all day? By all means, enjoy mugs of the stuff. Need a creative idea to propose for an upcoming project? It’s better to lay off the joe. Coffee is quite the stimulant, but studies have found that repetitive tasks are done more efficiently under the influence of coffee. However, creative tasks that require you to think abstractly may not aided by your dosing.

How Long Does It Last?

Generally, caffeine peaks in your bloodstream about 15-45 minutes after consumption. This means you should try to time your coffee around your potentially coffee-dependent tasks.

Influencing Factors

Though there is a window of time in which caffeine peaks, it’s affected by your individual hormones and external stimulants. If you rarely consume coffee or other caffeinated beverages, caffeine will stay in your body longer. The same applies if you are a woman on birth control. On the other hand, if you smoke or regularly consume caffeine in some fashion, caffeine will leave your system much quicker.

Natural Caffeine Boost

You can easily boost the staying power of the caffeine in your coffee by eating a grapefruit with a bit of sugar with the drink. The healthy fat will help slow the absorption process and prolong the effects of the caffeine in your body.

Dealing With Withdrawal

The old aphorism of habits dying hard is unfortunately quite true when it comes to coffee. If you suddenly run out of your favorite blend, headaches may quickly ensue. To prevent the unsavory effects of withdrawal, stay hydrated with enough water. Keep some peppermints stashed in your desk drawer, as peppermint has been proven to alleviate headaches. Ginseng teas and capsules will also give you an energy boost that’ll make up for your lack of caffeine.

Don’t Get The Venti

Although many of us like to start our day with the largest coffee possible, ordering a smaller serving may actually be more effective. Smaller and more frequent doses of caffeine can keep you energized much more effectively than a single large dose.

It’s Good For Your Mind

Despite its potential drawbacks, coffee is generally good for you. Your coffee habit may prevent you from getting dementia. Several studies have shown that those who drink coffee are almost 65% less likely to get Alzheimer’s Disease, the foremost cause of dementia.

It’s Good For Your Body

Coffee can help you reach many of your daily vitamin and mineral requirements. One serving of black coffee has 11% of your daily Vitamin B2 requirements, 3% of Potassium and Manganese, 6% of Vitamin B5, and 2% of Niacin and Magnesium. Studies also show that those who drink 4 cups of coffee daily reduce their likelihood of liver cirrhosis by 80%.

Workout Stimulant

Coffee is often thought of a diuretic that will dehydrate you, but that just isn’t the case. In fact, drinking coffee (not decaf, of course) before your workout will boost your workout performance. The increased adrenaline will give you more energy push yourself harder than usual. Not to mention, the caffeine will also help release fatty acids from your fat tissues. So whether you exercise before work or after, drinking coffee will definitely improve the quality of your workout and maybe even help you get rid of that love handle that just won’t go away.

Save Money With Hot Coffee

So, it seems like the reasons to keep up your expensive latte or espresso habit may be worth it. But here’s a tip: if you want to be productive at work without spending too much of your hard earned cash, opt for hot coffee instead of iced. You may have noticed the prices at your favorite coffee shop, but producing iced coffee is more laborious and costly than hot coffee, meaning you’ll be paying more for it.