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This is one of the most common questions I get in the office, and the answer is: maybe.

Coffee is a stimulant, and one of its effects is stimulating cortisol production, which is your body’s primary stress hormone. While this isn’t inherently bad, the impact depends on how much you're drinking, how your body processes stress, and what else is going on in your life.

Let’s get into it!

☕Coffee & Cortisol: What’s the Link?

Cortisol helps wake you up in the morning, supports energy metabolism, and regulates your response to stress. Because coffee can increase cortisol, especially when consumed in high amounts or on an empty stomach, it can:

Elevate stress or anxiety
Trigger irritability
Push your nervous system into overdrive

Most people have a tolerance threshold for caffeine, where a cup or two feels energizing and fine. But push past that tipping point, and it can lead to feeling wired, jittery, or completely burned out. Sound familiar?

**HOW DO YOU KNOW IF COFFEE IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU?**
Start by tuning in:
👉Is your **heart racing** after coffee?
👉Do you feel **on edge** or **easily overwhelmed**?
👉Are you able to take **deep, calm breaths**, or do you feel like you’re stuck in “go-go-go” mode?
These can all be signs your nervous system isn’t loving your current caffeine routine.

And remember: Your tolerance might not be static. It can shift with:

👉Your menstrual cycle
👉Sleep quality
👉Stress levels
👉Seasons of life

That’s why it’s always worth checking in with your body.

🍽️The Cortisol Impact of Skipping Meals:

One of the sneaky ways coffee affects cortisol? When it replaces meals.

Because coffee can blunt hunger, it’s easy to unintentionally skip breakfast or go too long without food. But your body needs fuel to function, and skipping meals stresses your system, pushing cortisol even higher and impacting your energy, mood, and hormones.

A helpful rule: ☕Coffee should complement a meal, not replace it.

💧Hydration Matters, Too

Coffee is a diuretic, which means it can lead to fluid loss. If it’s replacing your water intake, your cells may not be getting the hydration they need to function efficiently.

Chronic dehydration = another source of stress on your body (and your cortisol system).

So ask yourself: Are you drinking enough water alongside your coffee?

📈Coffee and Blood Sugar Spikes

Coffee with added sugar can cause a blood sugar spike, which in turn impacts cortisol. If you’re drinking sugary coffee without food, the effect can be more pronounced. If you’re having it with a balanced meal, you’re more likely to avoid that rollercoaster.

Even black coffee, for some people, is better tolerated with food in the system.

So… Should I Stop Drinking Coffee?

Not necessarily! Coffee can absolutely be part of a healthy routine.

But here’s how to make it more cortisol-friendly:

✅ Drink it with food
✅ Stay hydrated
✅ Be mindful of your threshold
✅ Tune in to how it’s making you feel

Your body is always giving you feedback, caffeine intake included. Listening to it is the key to finding your ideal balance. Just like many other things!

Noticing signs of cortisol imbalance, or unsure how your body is handling stress?

Let’s chat! Book a visit using the button below to explore what’s behind your energy, mood, or hormone symptoms and build a plan that works with (not against) your body.

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