Apple vs coffee: Which one can wake you up faster?

Everyone tells us that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but no one tells us that an apple can also keep sleep away.

According to Tom's Guide, while caffeine keeps you up by making your brain more alert, apples energise you by providing you with calories, sugar, and carbohydrates, which in turn wake you up.

Apples are an excellent source of slow-release energy, thanks to their fibre, fructose, and carbohydrate content. 

However, a cup of coffee is more effective than an apple at providing an immediate mental boost.

UK-based nutritionist and author Rob Hobson "Coffee blocks adenosine, and it increases levels of other neurotransmitters in your brain, like dopamine, that regulate your energy levels." Adenosine is a chemical inside our brain that makes us feel sleepy.

Coffee vs Apples for energy

Coffee can have harmful effects on you even though it has some positive benefits, particularly if you are sensitive to caffeine. Overindulging might disrupt your sleep and cause jitters or anxiety.

According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), consuming an excessive amount of caffeine can lead to exhaustion, an upset stomach, dehydration, anxiety, and sleeplessness.

In contrast, the International Food Information Council Foundation states that apples have a natural sugar called fructose, which may be a significant source of energy for your body.

Since fructose is not a stimulant, it doesn't offer you the same burst of energy as coffee, but it does supply you with gradual, steady energy that won't induce anxiety or interfere with your sleep.

Eating an apple may help you wake up and feel more awake if your blood sugar is low.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health states that apples are also high in polyphenols, vitamin C, and both soluble and insoluble fibre.

All in all, why make these comparisons? Why not just consume both?

Nutritionist Karine Patel says, "To get the most energising benefits from an apple and a coffee, the best way would be to start your day with an apple and to drink coffee 90 minutes after waking up."