You've probably experienced the energy-boosting power of coffee thanks to its high caffeine content. But not all of us really know how to drink coffee for maximum energy.
Do you know at what time, how much and what types of coffee are best to drink in order to get a balanced and long-lasting energy boost? If not, then you've come to the right place as this guide will show you everything you need to know about drinking coffee to boost your energy, motivation and productivity.
What you didn't know about coffee
Let's start with some background information about coffee drinking.
The history of coffee drinking goes back many centuries, with evidence of coffee drinking or knowledge of the coffee tree being documented in the early 15th century in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. From there, the practice soon spread to Mecca and Medina. By the 16th century it had reached the rest of the Middle East and parts of Africa. Coffee consumption then spread to the Balkans, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Even though some religious leaders at the time tried to ban coffee, its use continued to grow worldwide. This was partly facilitated by the popularity of coffee houses, which began to open and attract customers in the 17th century.
Today, coffee is one of the best-selling commodities in the world, and according to the National Coffee Association, coffee is currently the most consumed beverage besides water.
For many people around the world, coffee helps start the day and also provides a much-desired physical and mental boost throughout the day.
Benefits of Drinking Coffee
While some people drink coffee primarily for its pleasant taste, others choose this drink as a way to cheer themselves up.
Coffee also has a number of other benefits, including:
- Helps to stay focused and attentive
- Helps fight depression
- Helps burn fat
- Helps boost your physical performance
The energy power of coffee is mainly due to the caffeine it contains. This stimulant enters the bloodstream after you drink coffee. From there it goes to your brain. In the brain, caffeine blocks adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This then increases other neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine. This leads to increased excitation of neurons.
Human studies show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function, including mood, memory, and reaction time.
Of course, excessive coffee consumption is not recommended as it can lead to side effects such as insomnia and anxiety. Some coffee addicts also experience digestive problems, heart palpitations, and even anxiety.
However, as this guide will show, when you consume coffee the right way, you can reap the tangible benefits while minimizing any downsides.
In my experience, coffee is the best energy-boosting nutrient available today. It's also cheap, tasty and convenient.
Let's now look at...
The CEO's Journey to Drinking Coffee for Energy
As the CEO of Lifehack, it is vital to me that I always have plenty of energy and focus. Every day is busy, you need to make dozens of important decisions. There is never a time when I can afford to lose motivation and creativity.
That's why I've come to rely on the invigorating power of drinking coffee. It helps wake me up and keeps me alert throughout the work day.
So let me share with you some of the best ways I have found to drink coffee for energy.
The best time to drink coffee
Rule #1 -drink coffee only in the morning.
What for? Because if you drink coffee after dinner, it can disturb your sleep, which is definitely not good and healthy.
Another reason to drink coffee only in the morning is the exponential breakdown of caffeine in the body. In fact, once consumed, caffeine remains in the body for quite a long time. Studies show that it leaves the body at a rate of about 11% per hour. This gives it a half-life of about 6 hours. Simply put, if you drink a cup of coffee with 100 mg of caffeine at 10 am, you will still have about 50 mg of caffeine left in your system by 4 pm.
With this in mind, I would recommend that you do not drink coffee after dinner. By doing this, you will still get the energy boost from caffeine throughout the day, but it won't turn you into insomnia!
The best amount of coffee to drink
How much coffee should you drink in the morning to get the best but balanced energy boost?
Answer - 16ounces .
This is the optimal amount of coffee to consume so that you can significantly gain weight without overdoing it.
Of course, 16 ounces of coffee can be either high or low caffeine depending on the type of coffee you prefer to drink. For example, 8 ounce drip coffee has more caffeine than 10 ounce espresso.
If you are a healthy adult, try to consume around 400mg of caffeine in the morning. This is about 2-3 shots of espresso or five teaspoons of instant coffee. (Keep in mind that the caffeine content of different foods varies greatly.) If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is recommended that you limit your caffeine intake to around 200 mg per day.
When choosing which coffee to drink, it is worth paying attention to the coffee extraction process used. Variables such as coffee type, grind size, water temperature, and extraction time can make a huge difference in how your drink tastes and how much caffeine it contains.
I suggest finding the flavor you like, counting how much caffeine it contains, and then determining the exact number of cups of coffee you can drink in the morning.
Personally, I'm a big fan of drip coffee. This is by far one of the quickest and most convenient ways to get a delicious drink with plenty of the energy-boosting caffeine.
How to choose the best coffee beans
I recommend you buy Robusta coffee beans. On average, Robusta beans contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. This means you can brew and drink less coffee and still get the same energy boost. Sometimes less is more!
The next thing to look for when choosing coffee beans is the roast date. You must ensure that your purchase is made within one month of the roast date. This will ensure maximum freshness and also give you the best flavor (many people say that coffee beans reach their peak 2 weeks after roasting).
Speaking of roasts, depending on your taste preferences, you can choose between light, medium, or dark roasts. Most people prefer a light to medium roast as this roast has a nice fruity yet rich flavor.
Interestingly, you might assume that dark roasts have the most caffeine. However, the reality is that the light roast contains the most caffeine, followed by the medium roast and then the dark roast. This is good news if you want to drink coffee as a natural stimulant. By choosing a light or medium roast, you can get the double benefit of great tasting coffee with significant caffeine content.
I highly recommendInfuel Energy andInfuel Energy Plus Coffee Beans These light roasted coffee beans will help boost your energy and focus so you can stay motivated and productive all day long.These premium coffee beans are sourced under a strict set of regulations that ensure coffee products improve the lives of small farmers and are produced in an environmentally responsible manner. All Infuel Energy Coffee purchases are roasted to ensure they deliver you the ultimate in freshness.
What you need to make the perfect cup of coffee
In this section, I want to introduce you to some of the basic equipment you will need to make great coffee. I will explain why each piece of equipment is important to the coffee brewing process, as well as why I chose these particular products.
1. Digital coffee scale
Digital scales are always at hand. The TIMEMORE digital coffee scale puts you in complete control of your coffee preparation process. I especially like the fact that the coffee scale measures in 0.1g increments - it's ultra-high precision, making it easy to get the right coffee to water ratio. You can use this scale to make all kinds of coffee including drip coffee, french press, iced coffee, AeroPress, etc.
I'm sure you can imagine that a coffee scale would be much more accurate than using a tablespoon to measure. This will help you get the flavor and intensity you prefer and can greatly enhance the flavor of your preferred method. It all comes down to the right ratio of coffee and water. The digital coffee scale will make it convenient and easy for you.
2. Good kettle.
The quality of the kettle can make or break coffee. The Miroco Gooseneck Electric Iridescent Kettle will allow you to prepare the perfect coffee thanks to the “keep warm function”. It also has a built-in digital stopwatch to ensure you don't overcook or brew your coffee. For safety and peace of mind, the kettle is also equipped with an automatic shut-off function.
3. Decanter for drip coffee.
I love the Japanese Hario V60 Drip Coffee Decanter. It is easy to use, easy to clean and will give you a delightful barista experience. In terms of size, this decanter holds up to 700ml, which is enough for 4-5 normal sized cups.
4. Paper coffee filters
There are many good paper coffee filters, but the Hario V60 paper coffee filters are the perfect complement to the coffee carafe above. Each pack, designed in Japan, contains 200 size 02 disposable paper filters with white tabs. I especially like that the filters do not contain chlorine. Although the filters are designed for single use only, their size will allow you to make up to 4 cups of coffee at a time.
5. Decent grinder
Grinding is the most important part in making coffee, so choosing the right coffee grinder is very important. Coffee grinders come in two types: manual and electric. I would recommend this, depending on your budget:
If you are looking for the best manual coffee grinder, the KT Porex ceramic coffee grinder for manual grinding is just what you need. This is a high quality hand grinder made in Japan. Although sanding requires some effort on your part, I'm sure you'll be impressed with the results!
If you are looking for a budget manual coffee grinder, I recommend the Hario ceramic coffee grinder. Despite its budget price, this is a great hand grinder. Thanks to the new improved grinding roller and burr stabilizing plate, it is easy to achieve uniform grinding. The non-slip rubber base also helps keep the grinder securely in place while grinding.
For those who prefer an electric coffee grinder, I think the OXO Brew Conical Burr is the best. This premium electric coffee grinder delivers a uniform grind for optimal aroma extraction. It also has 15 grind settings so you can make the perfect coffee. In addition, the one-touch start timer conveniently saves the last setting. I have been using this coffee grinder for the last couple of years and highly recommend it.
