Morning Coffee Masks Fatigue from Poor Habits, Experts Say

Reaching for a morning cup of coffee might leave some people feeling even more tired in the end.

Coffee ranks as America's favorite beverage, with 86% of weekly coffee drinkers consuming it in the morning, according to the New York City-based National Coffee Association.

The drink creates a false sense of alertness for some by temporarily covering lifestyle habits that cause fatigue in the first place, experts say.

"Caffeine is highly effective at temporarily suppressing fatigue but often can be a Band-Aid that doesn't address underlying lifestyle factors," Alexander LeRitz, a registered dietitian in Canada, told The Takeout recently.

"You can think of it like a roller coaster: What goes up must come down," said Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietitian, founder of NY Nutrition Group and author of "The Core 3 Healthy Eating Plan," in comments to Fox News Digital.

"Caffeine will stimulate you and give you an energy boost, but eventually that wears off and when it does, you can expect to feel even more tired than before."

Experts do not recommend eliminating coffee. Instead, people should assess other lifestyle changes. "If you're coffee-dependent, the question is, why do you need to drink so much throughout the day?" Moskovitz said. "Are you not sleeping enough or eating properly? If so, drinking caffeine will only make both issues worse."

Inadequate hydration, stress and lack of exercise also boost fatigue, Moskovitz added.

Coffee drinkers should track both the amount and timing of their intake. "Caffeine is most effective and tolerated when consumed in moderation," Moskovitz said. "That said, if you're breaching the 400 milligram daily threshold, then adverse effects are more likely. Drinking excess caffeine, especially later in the day, can interfere with proper sleep, which can contribute to poor energy and brain fog, thus feeling even more dependent on coffee to get you through the day."

When consumed properly, coffee carries health benefits. It contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Coffee drinkers face lower risks of death from coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, according to nutrition experts at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Regular coffee consumption also guards against colon cancer and Parkinson's disease and may cut the risk of Alzheimer's disease, experts say. It has links to better mood and gut health as well.

To maximize benefits, limit intake to three to five 8-ounce cups a day. Use no more than two tablespoons of milk or half-and-half, rather than heavy sweeteners or artificial creamers, Johns Hopkins advises.