For many coffee lovers, an afternoon pick-me-up is a daily ritual. But according to new research, the time of day you enjoy your coffee could impact your health more than you realize.

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal suggests that drinking coffee in the morning may significantly lower the risk of heart disease and overall mortality compared to drinking it throughout the day.

Morning Coffee and Heart Health: What the Study Found

Researchers analyzed data from over 42,000 U.S. adults who participated in national health surveys.

Each participant recorded their food and drink intake over seven days, and their health outcomes were tracked for nearly a decade.

Timing Matters More Than Quantity

Interestingly, the study found that whether someone drank two cups or more than three cups of coffee per day, morning drinkers still showed significant health benefits.

Participants were divided into three groups: morning coffee drinkers, all-day coffee drinkers, and non-coffee drinkers. The findings revealed that those who limited their coffee intake to the morning had a 31% lower risk of dying from heart disease and a 16% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who didn’t drink coffee at all.

However, those who consumed coffee all day long did not see the same protective effects. This suggests that when you drink coffee is just as important as how much you drink.

Why Morning Coffee Is Better for You?

So, what makes morning coffee the healthier choice? The researchers suggest that drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening can interfere with circadian rhythms and melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep.

Dr. Thomas Lüscher, a cardiologist from Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, explained in an editorial accompanying the study that our body’s sympathetic nervous system—which controls our "fight or flight" response—is naturally more active in the morning.

Drinking coffee during this time aligns with our body’s natural rhythm, whereas consuming it later in the day may interfere with important biological processes.

The Takeaway

If you love coffee, you don’t need to give it up—but you might want to reconsider when you drink it. Sticking to a morning-only coffee habit could be a simple yet powerful way to support your heart health and overall well-being

Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or someone who can’t function without a daily cup, making the switch to morning coffee might be worth it.

Of course, if you have specific health concerns, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or a cardiologist to understand what’s best for you. But if this study is any indication, enjoying your coffee in the morning might just be one of the easiest ways to boost your health.