Starting your day with a cup of coffee on an empty stomach can lead to a cycle of energy highs and lows, according to Dr. Priyanka Rohatgi, Chief Nutritionist at Apollo Hospitals. The caffeine competes with adenosine, a hormone that promotes sleep, resulting in increased levels of adenosine in the bloodstream once caffeine's effects wear off. This can cause rebound fatigue, or a crash, in the middle of the day. Additionally, habitual morning caffeine consumption can lead to dependence, requiring higher doses for the same wakefulness effect. The better approach is to delay coffee until after lunch when your energy levels naturally dip, thereby maintaining caffeine's effectiveness and avoiding interference with sleep patterns. Drinking water upon waking up is recommended to rehydrate the body, along with a protein-rich breakfast to mitigate the acidic effects of coffee and support overall health.
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