Coffee lovers rejoice, It’s time to celebrate! International Coffee Day was created to bring coffee lovers across the globe together to share in their joy, as well as to celebrate and support the farmers, baristas, and all people involved in the process of delivering you that cup of coffee.
Whether you’re an espresso lover, an almond latte drinker or you’re content with a Nescafe instant coffee, here in Australia we are known for our coffee culture. Aussie-style cafes are popping up all over the world because everyone wants a taste of us.
2020 has been a difficult year for most, so now, more than ever, it’s important to be supporting your local coffee shops if you have the means to do so. Dine in if you can, or grab a cup to go and maybe pick up a sweet treat or a bag of beans while you’re at it.
Here at Ecosa we love our coffee almost as much as we love our sleep, but we get that the two really don’t go hand in hand. So we’ve combined our favourite things about coffee with how to incorporate it into a healthy routine, including great sleep!
Why We Love Coffee
It Brings Us So Much Joy
Who doesn’t love waking up to a steaming cup of coffee in the morning? While many people are drinking coffee to keep themselves alert and able to face the day, for a lot of us it’s so much more than that.
Coffee could be part of your integral morning routine that you need to complete to be ready to face the day. Or maybe you’re the kind of person who loves to connect to people over coffee, whether that be catching up with friends at a cafe or drinking espresso martinis at a bar on date night.
These moments are just as special as that delicious coffee, creating a truly enjoyable experience.
Coffee Is Full of Essential Nutrients
Yes, your daily coffees are actually good for you! A standard cup of black coffee contains riboflavin, potassium, magnesium and niacin, which are all essential vitamins and minerals for healthy body functions. The amounts of these nutrients are small, but if you’re packing in 3-4 cups a day like the average person, it all adds up.
When drinking milk-based coffee such as lattes, cappuccinos or flat whites, you’re also consuming calcium and zinc, which are vital for strong bones and a healthy immune system.
Coffee Makes You Live Longer!
Your love of coffee is doing more than just warming up your soul! Studies have shown that moderate consumption of coffee (3-4 cups a day) have been linked to a longer lifespan.
Other studies have connected coffee consumption to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, yet the reasons why are still unknown.
It’s only been a few years since coffee stopped being viewed as carcinogenic, but since then there have been vast studies showing how it helps improve our health. So keep on drinking!
Coffee and Sleep
We all know that the caffeine in your coffee is a stimulant. Many people drink it first thing in the morning to help them wake up and keep drinking to keep the energy flowing throughout the day.
Best Time of Day to Drink Coffee
Typically, the effects of coffee kick in around 30-60 minutes after consumption, and has a half-life of three-five hours, meaning half of the coffee will still be in your system after that time.
To ensure there is no caffeine left in your system by the time you go to sleep, try avoiding coffee after 4pm, or opt for decaf or tea instead. We know it’s not the same as drinking a cup of coffee, but it won’t keep you up all night long.
Understanding Your Tolerance
Not everyone can handle the same amount of coffee. Just because your friend can drink it until 8pm at night and easily fall asleep a couple of hours later, doesn’t mean that you can.
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine, and knowing if you are or not can help dictate how much to drink and when in the day.
If you find yourself getting jittery after a few cups of coffee, that’s your body telling you that you’ve hit your limit. It’s time to switch off the caffeine and opt for decaf, or just stop for the rest of the day.
Coffee = Happiness
What are you waiting for? Get on over to your local coffee shop, support your community and get drinking that coffee!
