Experts say common morning drink is what's making you feel stressed

Stress can present itself in many forms. It can impact you mentally, emotionally and physically as a result of your cortisol levels.

Cortisol is a hormone that is designed to help your body deal with stress. So, when your brain thinks you’re in some sort of danger, it tells your adrenal glands to release cortisol.

However, cortisol should only be released for a short period of time. If your level of cortisol stays high for a long time, it can do more harm than good.

Experts warn drinking coffee in the morning may be affecting your cortisol levels. Nutrition brand Verve say caffeine can play a part in how stressed you feel.

In various studies in adults, caffeine may increase wakefulness and relieve pain. But caffeine overdose can cause many adverse serious effects. In a 2015 study, it was shown to increase stress and anxiety.

Caffeine and stress can both elevate cortisol levels. High amounts of caffeine can lead to the negative health effects associated with prolonged elevated levels of cortisol (as in chronic stress), according to VeryWellMind.

Besides coffee, processed foods, such as breads, sweets and chocolate have also been found to affect anxiety and mental health. PsychCentral explained that the foods to avoid for helping with stress include ice cream, energy drinks, salty food such as pretzels, fast food, and foods high in trans fats, such as fried chicken.

If you are used to having a cup of coffee in the morning, but are worried your cortisol levels are increasing too much, there are alternatives to try. If you want to lower your cortisol levels in particular, look for drinks high in theanine.

Theanine is an amino acid that has been shown to reduce stress in both mice and humans. It can be found in powdered green teas, such as matcha.

PsychCentral also recommended drinking a cup of green tea or black tea, which are rich in theanine as well. However, black teas may be higher in caffeine and lower in theanine in comparison to green teas, which may mean drinking these could be less effective in reducing stress.

If you’re also conscious about what you’re eating is affecting your stress levels, there are some foods which can help lower your cortisol. These include dark chocolate, bananas, and garlic.

Foods which have been fermented, where antioxidants levels have been increased, can also be helpful for combatting stress. Antioxidants can lower oxidative stress in the body, but also increase your body’s immune system.