Why Do People Drink Coffee in the Morning and Make It A Ritual?

It's early morning, and you're stumbling out of bed, bleary-eyed and yawning. What's the first thing on your mind? For many, it's that steaming cup of coffee waiting to kickstart their day. In fact, 67% of Americans drink one or more cups of coffee every day.

But have you ever asked the question, "Why do people drink coffee in the morning?" Is it only about the caffeine kick, or is there something deeper to this popular ritual? 

So, Why Do People Always Drink Coffee In The Morning?

Our morning coffee routine isn't just something we crave—it's like a cozy comfort that helps us tackle the day ahead.

The incredible flavor, the cozy feel of the mug in your hands, and the easy routine of making it—all these things come together to make a relaxing ritual that’s way more than just getting your caffeine boost. It's a time to pause and reflect, a personal tradition, and for many, a key part of what it means to embrace each new day.

Here are all the top reasons on why you should drink coffee in the morning: 

1. It wakes you up and helps you fight morning grogginess

Coffee wakes you up by blocking receptors (adenosine) in your brain, which helps regulate sleep.

The ingredients in coffee are like little secret agents, infiltrating your body and intercepting the "I'm tired" messages before they reach your brain. Your brain then thinks, "Great! We're wide awake and ready for whatever the day brings!"

2. It jumpstarts your gut’s activity

Here's the bottom line (pun intended), coffee makes you poop.

Coffee is a stimulant. It doesn't just wake you up—it also plays a role in digestion. It speeds up peristalsis, the rhythmic movement that pushes waste through your intestines, and it causes the release of Cholecystokinin (CCK). This hormone gets the lower gastrointestinal tract working faster, speeding up how waste travels through it.

A lot of people naturally get the urge to go in the morning. Coffee can boost this feeling by getting your digestive system going, making those bowel movements quicker and easier.

3. It improves your focus

Coffee can be the secret to boosting your productivity each day. Sometimes, when you’d normally just want to kick back and relax, it can motivate you to tackle your to-do list. 

Coffee (or caffeine really) is a stimulant for your central nervous system that can help you focus and boost your concentration when you're dealing with challenging lessons at school or crunching numbers in spreadsheets at work.

Research shows that your morning coffee hits your peak concentration about 45 minutes after drinking a cup. Decaf however will leave you lacking as it has significantly less caffeine.

4. It may help you manage your weight

Coffee can help you control your weight in a few different ways. Drinking coffee in the morning can help you burn more fat and give you a quick energy boost without adding extra calories.

Coffee can also curb your appetite, making it easier to handle those snack cravings that pop up in the middle of the morning and afternoon.

Coffee's diuretic effect may also help shed water weight in the first month of dieting, just remember to stay hydrated.

It is important to note though that coffee should not be viewed as a primary strategy for weight management.

5. It makes you happy

Your morning coffee routine can be more than just a way to get caffeine; it can be a moment of mindfulness, a creative outlet, and a source of happiness to start your day on the right note

You might find that the act of preparing your morning brew is as important as drinking it. Measuring out your beans, grinding them just right, and brewing your coffee can be a soothing and centering experience. You might find that this ritual helps you jump out of your bed quicker, as you look forward to starting your day with this special routine.

So, whether your morning coffee is Jamaican Blue Mountain, a different specialty coffee you adore, or just your go-to blend, the whole brewing process can brighten your morning.

Is it bad to drink coffee right when you wake up?

Many people habitually drink coffee on an empty stomach every morning, reaching for that cup of joe as soon as they roll out of bed. But, this practice has been a hot topic lately.

Waiting a bit after you wake up before grabbing your coffee might actually be a good idea. Cortisol levels, which help us feel awake, are usually at their peak in the morning. Grabbing coffee right off the bat might mess with how your body wakes up naturally.

It's important to remember that the effects can differ for everyone.

Why wait 90 minutes to drink coffee?

Some experts say it's a good idea to wait 90 minutes to drink coffee after you wake up. This suggestion, made well-known by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, is rooted in the idea that waiting helps your brain lower adenosine (a molecule that makes you sleepy) levels. This could make caffeine work better and lessen the chances of an afternoon "crash".

It's worth mentioning that the "wait to caffeinate" rule is a topic of debate and doesn't have substantial scientific support.

A recent study by a group of researchers discovered that there is no proof to back up the idea that waiting to have your morning coffee offers any advantages. Actually, they say that for people who drink coffee regularly, having caffeine right after waking up could be helpful, especially if they haven't slept enough.

Is drinking coffee on an empty stomach bad for hormones?

Another concern is that drinking coffee on an empty stomach may be bad for your hormones.

The acidity in coffee can kickstart the production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which is typically used for breaking down food. Overtime, this might cause problems with digestion and may throw off your hormonal balance although this claim is not backed by scientific study.

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not inherently bad for everyone, but someone that has digestive issues or a sensitivity to caffeine may find that it can lead to issues.

Do you really need coffee in the morning?

We totally understand—coffee is more than just a drink for many of you; it's a must-have to get you through your morning. It can seem like, without it, everything around you just loses its color and excitement.

Coffee isn't just about the wake-up call. It's loaded with antioxidants and has been linked to different health benefits. Plus, it also works wonders in combating the midday slump and those late-night Netflix marathons.

But remember, moderation is key. Too much can turn you into an over-caffeinated, jittery version of yourself that's dancing to a beat only you can hear!

So, while we won't tell you that you don't need your morning coffee, we do encourage you to enjoy it mindfully. Here's to the soothing morning ritual of a coffee brew—we'll definitely sip to that!

FAQs

Is morning coffee addictive?

Morning coffee can totally become a habit because of all that caffeine in it. If you drink it regularly, you might find yourself feeling a bit off, like getting headaches or feeling tired, if you miss your daily cup.

But, that doesn't really mean it's an addiction in the clinical sense. Many people drink coffee in the morning to get a boost and because it’s just part of their routine, not really because they’re addicted to it.

Why does drinking coffee in the morning make me hungry?

Drinking coffee in the morning can make you hungry for several reasons:

• Caffeine might boost the production of ghrelin, which is the hormone that tells you when you're hungry.
• Coffee might speed up your metabolism, which could help you burn through your energy stores faster.
• The acidity in coffee might kick up gastric acid production, which can feel a bit like hunger.
• For many people, having their morning coffee goes hand in hand with breakfast, sparking that familiar hunger feeling.

How did coffee become a morning drink?

Coffee really took off as a go-to morning drink for a number of historical and cultural reasons:

• Back in the 17th century, coffee took over from beer as the go-to breakfast drink in many European countries.
• The Industrial Revolution brought about standardized work hours, which made coffee's energizing effects extremely helpful for getting things done in the morning.
• Coffee helps wake you up, making it the perfect drink to kick off your day.
• Coffee houses really took off in the 18th and 19th centuries, making coffee a popular drink, especially as part of the morning routine.
• Marketing campaigns in the 20th century helped solidify coffee's status as the go-to drink for mornings.

Today, drinking coffee in the morning is something a lot of people do. It's not just about the boost it gives you; it's also an enjoyable part of our daily routines.