Fall is just around the corner, and it's the season of pumpkin spice lattes, plaid scarves, cozy sweaters, and falling leaves.
Many Brits will rush to the nearest cafe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) - or try to make their own. The controversial and perhaps overly popular fall drink has become synonymous with the cooler months, but it turns out that we probably shouldn't drink it right after waking up.
Rex Issop, sleep expert and chief executive of British brand Happy Beds, warned that the flavored drink should be drunk at least an hour after waking. The health expert explained that cortisol levels, which are often associated with stress, are "at their peak" when the alarm goes off at 7am and your eyes open. Cortisol "raises" your alertness, meaning that if you wake up and immediately reach for caffeine, you increase your tolerance to the stimulant.
“Throughout the day, our brain produces a sleep-promoting chemical called adenosine. The longer we are awake, the more adenosine builds up, helping us fall asleep. However, caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, keeping us alert and promoting alertness. So if you've ever found it hard to wind down after a coffee-filled day, this could be the root cause," Issapp said.
The cult favorite is back on the Starbucks menu on August 22nd - available in hot water, iced and frappuccino varieties.
This comes after many social media users took to social network X to express their desire for the seasonal drink to be released. | BGNES
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