Are you drinking your coffee at the right time?

Are you drinking your coffee at the right time?

Coffee is a daily ritual for millions☕️. It tastes good, it wakes you up, and when it’s enjoyed in moderation, many recent studies link it to potential health benefits. Those benefits may include improved brain function, a lower risk of certain diseases, and even longer life. Now there’s a new twist. The timing of your coffee might matter.

A study published this month in the European Heart Journal explored whether the time of day people drink coffee is linked to health outcomes, including cardiovascular health and mortality rates. Led by Dr Lu Qi at Tulane University, the researchers analysed data from more than 40,000 adults. What they found was striking.

The morning-only group                                                                                                           People who drank coffee only in the morning had a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality compared with people who did not drink coffee.

The all-day group                                                                                                                                                             People who drank coffee throughout the day did not show these benefits. Their risk was similar to non-coffee drinkers.

Why timing could play a role  

 One possible explanation is that coffee later in the day can interfere with circadian rhythms and affect hormone levels such as melatonin. That shift may have a negative impact on cardiovascular health. Late-day caffeine can also contribute to sleep disruption and increased blood pressure.

What to do with this                                                                                                                              If you drink coffee and want to maximise its potential health benefits, especially for heart health and longevity, keeping your coffee to the morning may be the better option. It aligns with the body’s natural daily rhythm and may help reinforce the positive effects associated with coffee.

Moderate coffee consumption is linked to a range of potential benefits. This research suggests that timing could be an important part of the picture. Consider your personal health profile, and aim to stay within moderate intake.

Référence:

Xuan Wang, Hao Ma, Qi Sun, Jun Li, Yoriko Heianza, Rob M Van Dam, Frank B Hu, Eric Rimm, JoAnn E Manson, Lu Qi, Coffee drinking timing and mortality in US adults, European Heart Journal, 2025;, ehae871, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae871