Do you feel like you can’t function in the morning before you get your caffeine fix? Well, it turns out, there are a few things we should be doing before we have that first cup of coffee.
“Supporting your morning coffee routine with some strategic practices can be a game changer for digestion, stress, hormone balance, energy and so much more,” explains Abigail Hueber, a functional dietitian and digestive health expert.
Jumping out of bed and sipping coffee first thing in the morning can trigger the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, and that on top of caffeine on an empty stomach can negatively affect our gut, hormones, and energy. To avoid that, these are the things Hueber recommends doing before you drink your morning coffee.
- Rehydrate - Our bodies get dehydrated overnight, so it’s important to replenish fluids when you wake up. Hueber recommends 16-ounces of a beverage high in minerals including potassium and sodium, like coconut water, aloe vera juice, grapefruit or orange juice with a pinch of salt and eight ounces of water before coffee.
- Eat fiber and protein - Coffee on an empty stomach can stimulate cortisol, which can spike blood sugar. So eat breakfast first, and make sure it’s high in fiber and protein.
- Work out - Nutrition expert Frances Largeman-Roth says having coffee before you hit the gym could make you anxious during your workout, or leave you running for the bathroom. Try to do your sweat sesh first, then enjoy your coffee.
- Brush your teeth - The acids in coffee weaken the enamel on our teeth and brushing right after drinking it can damage your pearly whites.
- Go to the bathroom - Coffee will trigger you to have to go, so emptying your bladder first is smart, according to Largeman-Roth.
- Wait 90 minutes after waking up - This allows for the best hormone balance, Hueber explains, because cortisol levels rise and fall within an hour of waking up, so not having caffeine helps that process and better supports energy levels throughout the day.
- Take a walk - Getting natural light can help you feel more alert and awake and coupling that with a walk is a win-win for hormones, energy and overall health, Hueber says.
Source: Well and Good