#4

Don’t feel ready to start the day until you’ve had a cup of coffee, especially in midlife? You’re not alone!

31% of coffee drinkers make themselves a coffee before doing anything else.

 
Caffeine is so interwoven into our everyday routines that we often forget it’s a psychoactive drug!

But there’s a healthier version that tastes just as good, and it's gentler on your system when you have more than one cup a day.

I know what you’re thinking – ‘What’s the catch?’

Truthfully, there isn’t one. That’s the magic of adaptogenic coffee.

Want to find out more? Keep reading! 

When is the best time to drink coffee to get the most benefits?

2-3 hours after waking

Our cortisol (stress hormone) levels are highest upon waking up, as our bodies kick us into action to prepare for the day ahead.

 
But when we drink coffee, our cortisol levels spike even further, which overwhelms the body.

When we regularly drink coffee as soon as we wake up, our bodies start to expect the dose of caffeine and get worse at waking up naturally.

This is why you might be cranky first thing in the morning, or feel like a zombie before you’ve had your first sip!

And you’re not imagining the physical symptoms either – headache, brain fog and fatigue are all real caffeine withdrawal symptoms.

 
After all, it is a drug!

But it’s not all doom and gloom (thankfully!).

To avoid this hyper-dependency, all we need to do is wait 2-3 hours after waking up to enjoy our coffee.

 
This gives our hormones enough time to peak and fall, naturally.

Remember – your body is a fabulous machine built to deal with life!

Allow it to do its thing and you might be surprised at the results.

6-8 Hours before bedtime

We all know coffee gives us an energy boost, right? Right??

While that certainly seems to be the case, it’s not entirely true. Here’s how the science works:

Caffeine helps us to stay alert and awake by blocking the adenosine (sleep-regulating hormone) receptors in the brain.

Therefore, it’s not really giving us energy, but just preventing us from feeling tired.

This will explain why you might have struggled to sleep after having coffee at 3 pm, or an espresso martini after dinner!

To ensure caffeine doesn’t get in the way of that all-important beauty sleep, it’s best to not drink coffee in the 6-8 hours before bedtime.

Don’t consume it on an empty stomach

Just like it’s never a good idea to drink alcohol on an empty stomach, the same is true for coffee.

Caffeine is absorbed much faster when you haven’t eaten, and its effects are exacerbated – cue the jitters, anxiety, heart palpitations, and irritability! 

Never at night (and never instead of sleep)

You should never compensate for your lack of sleep with coffee – it causes a ton of hormonal problems that take a long time to fix.

How to limit the negative effects of coffee

Add protein and/or high-quality fat sources

Adding protein and/or high-quality fat sources to your coffee can help your blood sugar stay stable for a gradual energy increase.

Here are some delicious additions to try:

Avoid consuming coffee with nutrient-dense meals

Did you know that caffeine inhibits the absorption of important minerals we get from our diet?

So if you’ve gone to a lot of effort putting together a delicious nutrient-rich meal, better wait an hour or two before having that coffee! 

Yes, Coffee DOES have some benefits (and they’re fantastic!)

Now for the part of the blog I know you want to hear!

Like most things, coffee can offer health benefits when enjoyed in moderation.

These benefits are so good that you really should enjoy coffee (so long as you don’t have any health conditions that say otherwise!).

 

When enjoyed responsibly, coffee can offer the following benefits:

On top of this, coffee is also rich in antioxidants and can:

Top tip:

Opt for single-origin organic coffee where possible – this is tested for moulds and mycotoxins and has a high polyphenol content (the healthy compounds found in plants!).

But you should limit or stop drinking coffee if you experience...

To coffee, or not to coffee? That is the question!

The truth is, you should absolutely enjoy your coffee. It’s one of life’s simple pleasures!

The key is to consume caffeine responsibly, and in a way that works with your body’s natural processes, not against it.

Midlife reinvention can start with something as small as a daily habit: not giving up what you love, but finding a way to make it work better for you.

So what’s the healthiest way to enjoy coffee? 

The healthiest choice: adaptogenic, nootropic and mushroom coffee

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: let’s talk about what makes adaptogenic and nootropic coffees different.

London Nootropics blends regular coffee with adaptogens, nootropics and mushroom extracts.

And just to clear up one common misconception: these aren’t low-caffeine coffees. Each serving contains around 80–110 mg of caffeine, which is roughly the same as a regular cup of coffee.

So what makes them different? It’s what comes alongside the caffeine.

Depending on the blend, ingredients such as adaptogens, mushroom extracts and L-theanine may help take the edge off some of the jitters or that familiar coffee crash, while helping your energy feel a little steadier.

And because we don’t all need the same thing every day, each blend has a slightly different focus.

Choose Flow when you want mental clarity and focus, Mojo when you need a natural boost and physical endurance, or Zen when you’re looking for calmer, more balanced energy.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are plants or mushrooms that have been proven to help the body deal with external stressors, anxiety, and fatigue.

The clue is in the name – they help you ‘adapt’, restoring balance in the body to improve overall well-being.

 
They give you a natural energy boost without the jitters or anxiety that you’d get from lots of caffeine, and they can even help boost libido and reduce PMS symptoms. 

What are nootropics (aka smart drugs)?

The word comes from two Greek words: 'nous', the mind, and 'trepein', to bend or turn.

Nootropics are natural substances that enhance cognitive function and memory.

Also known as ‘smart drugs’, nootropics boost focus and brain health by improving the circulation of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

The health benefits of mushroom coffee

Mushrooms are neither a plant nor an animal – they are an entirely separate kingdom, and we are only just beginning to realise their near-miraculous health benefits!

Studies have shown that mushrooms help boost the immune system, aiding the body to defend itself against infection and illness. And that’s not all:

Short-term benefits of mushroom coffee

Long-term benefits of mushroom coffee

Mushrooms such as lion's mane and cordyceps are attracting plenty of scientific interest, including research into their potential effects on immunity, cancer and heart health.

So, your morning coffee can be about more than just caffeine. Adding adaptogens, nootropics and mushrooms is one way to bring something extra to your everyday cup.

What are the best adaptogenic coffee blends?

We're all different, and so are our bodies, routines and needs. A personalised, type-oriented approach can help you choose what fits you best, even with something as simple as your morning coffee.

There are lots of adaptogenic coffee blends out there to choose from. I personally love the London Nootropics range – they offer some fantastic health benefits and taste delicious (even though they’re sugar-free!)

Here are a few of my favourites:

Adaptogenic coffee FAQs

What do adaptogenic coffee blends taste like?

Each blend of adaptogenic coffee offers a different flavour.

London Nootropics balance out the natural bitterness of nootropics with a small amount of natural flavouring.

You can expect a deliciously earthy, coffee-like flavour! 

How do I make adaptogenic coffee?

London Nootropics adaptogenic coffees come in individual powder sachets. Add one sachet to a large mug with around 300 ml of hot water and stir well. Drink it black or add your favourite dairy-free milk for a richer, creamier, latte-style drink.

How often can I drink adaptogenic coffee?

London Nootropics recommends 1–2 adaptogenic coffees per day, depending on how you feel and what you need.

Some people drink a few more servings, and the brand encourages you to listen to your body’s cues and find what works best for you.

You might choose Flow for morning focus, Mojo for an early-afternoon or pre-workout boost, or Zen when you want calming, balanced energy.

All three blends contain caffeine, including Zen, so they are not caffeine-free, but each one combines coffee with different adaptogens for a specific purpose.

Is adaptogenic coffee vegan?

Yes! Adaptogenic coffee is usually vegan and made from plant or mushroom extracts.

Do adaptogenic coffees contain nuts or other allergens?

London Nootropics don’t list allergens as an ingredient in any of their blends; however, they can not guarantee that they are free from allergens.

Want to reduce stress and the side effects of regular coffee? Try the adaptogenic alternative

Now that you’ve learned all about the many health benefits of adaptogenic coffee, I bet you’d love to give it a try!

 London Nootropics are currently running a very generous offer for 20% off when you sign up for one of their subscription plans.

I personally can not recommend adaptogenic coffee enough. It’s a delightful experience after my late morning breakfast, especially when mixed with my homemade coconut milk.

I make sure to never skip it before my workout because of the numerous benefits it has to offer. 

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