Consuming caffeine on the same day as a stress test does not change the level of cortisol released in response to stress in healthy young adults. The pattern of cortisol response is more likely related to regular, long-term caffeine consumption than to a single dose.

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Pro

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Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

39

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39

Habitual Caffeine Use Is Associated With Heightened Cortisol Reactivity to Lab-Based Stress in Two Samples

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2024 Oct 1

This study found that drinking coffee the same day you’re stressed doesn’t change your stress hormone levels much, but people who drink coffee regularly over time do show higher stress hormone responses. So it’s not the coffee you had today—it’s the coffee you’ve had for weeks or months that matters.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

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According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Habitual Caffeine Use Is Associated With Heightened Cortisol Reactivity to Lab-Based Stress in Two Samples

Score: 39

DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001334

Similar Assertions

People who regularly consume caffeine show a stronger cortisol response to stress, and this pattern was observed in two separate groups of young adults.

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