A new joint study by researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK and Bielefeld University in Germany has found that people who drink coffee in the morning tend to be in a better mood throughout the day.
The study, conducted on 200 young adults, revealed that caffeine consumption—especially within the first two and a half hours after waking—was linked to improved psychological well-being compared to later hours of the day. The findings, published in Nature Scientific Reports, were based on 28,000 self-reported mood assessments collected over a four-week period.
Professor Anu Realo from Warwick’s Department of Psychology explained the mechanism behind this effect:
“Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, which increases dopamine activity in key regions of the brain. Previous studies have linked this to improved mood and heightened alertness.”
In this research, caffeine intake was most strongly associated with an immediate boost in positive emotions, particularly enthusiasm and happiness, within the first hours of the day. Smaller effects were also observed in greater satisfaction and reduced feelings of sadness.
“Even people with moderate caffeine habits may experience mild withdrawal symptoms in the morning, which can be alleviated by the first cup of coffee or tea,” Professor Realo added.
The study also investigated whether coffee affects individuals differently. While it was expected that those with higher anxiety levels might experience negative side effects such as increased nervousness, the results showed otherwise.
Lead author Justin Hachenberger of Bielefeld University noted:
“We were somewhat surprised to find no differences across groups, regardless of caffeine intake levels, or the presence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, or sleep problems. The link between caffeine and positive or negative emotions was consistent across all participants.”
However, the researchers caution that caffeine can be habit-forming, and excessive consumption is linked to various health risks. Drinking it late in the day may also contribute to sleep problems.
Professor Sakari Lemola of Bielefeld University, senior author of the paper, added:
“About 80% of adults worldwide consume caffeinated beverages, and the use of such stimulants has a long history in human culture. Interestingly, even other species do it—honeybees, for example, prefer nectar from plants that contain caffeine.”
The study concludes that while moderation is key, responsible caffeine consumption can be beneficial for many people.
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