托福阅读素材：喝咖啡的最佳时间

 　　You should probably be drinking your morning cup of coffee around10 a.m., according to a new video from AsapScience.

　　科普频道AsapScience近日发布视频声称，早上十点或许是喝咖啡的最佳时间。

　　We know, we know. If you're an I-need-caffeine-as-soon-as-I-wake-up kind of person, this isn't great news. But as AsapScience explains it, the production of cortisol, the "stress hormone¹" associated with the way the body naturally wakes itself up, generally peaks between 8 and 9 am -- right around the time most people are sipping² their cappuccinos and lattes.

　　我们知道，如果你是那种一起床就需要喝咖啡的人，这并不是个好消息。AsapScience解释说，人体内的皮质醇，也就是“压力激素”的分泌与身体自然唤醒的方式相关，其分泌高峰期一般在早上八点到九点，也就是大部分人喝咖啡的时间。

　　Peak cortisol hours also happen between 12 and 1 p.m. and 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. And according to AsapScience, drinking coffee during those hours lessens³ caffeine's effects.

　　皮质醇的其他分泌高峰分别是中午十二点到一点和下午五点半到六点半。AsaaScience认为，在这些时段喝咖啡，会削弱咖啡因的作用。

　　If you're an early or late riser, your peak cortisol hours are probably different from the average person's. So whenever it is you wake up, just wait a bit before hitting the coffee maker⁴.

　　早起或晚起的人分泌皮质醇的高峰期与平均值会有所不同。所以最好起床后过一段时间再去泡咖啡。

　　“Cortisol levels do indeed increase about 50 percent right after you wake up, regardless of the time," the video explains. "Science says, wait at least an hour to get your cup of joe and your body will be optimally⁵ ready to go.”

　　视频中介绍说：“无论几点起床，皮质醇的含量在起床后都会激增50%左右。科学家认为，起床一小时后再饮用咖啡，可以让身体获得更多动力。”

　　Hey, we're all about reaping all of coffee's benefits -- especially because it's been linked to a healthier heart and, ahem, a lower risk of erectile dysfunction. Let's keep that stuff brewing⁶.

　　我们这也是为了充分利用咖啡的功效啊，尤其是听说它能强健心脏并减少勃起功能障碍。喝咖啡不能停啊。

1 hormone   

n.荷尔蒙，激素，内分泌

参考例句：

• Hormone implants are used as growth boosters.激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。
• This hormone interacts closely with other hormones in the body.这种荷尔蒙与体內其他荷尔蒙紧密地相互作用。

2 sipping   

v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink. 她坐在阳光下懒洋洋地抿着冷饮。
• She sat there, sipping at her tea. 她坐在那儿抿着茶。

3 lessens   

变少( lessen的第三人称单数 )； 减少（某事物）

参考例句：

• Eating a good diet significantly lessens the risk of heart disease. 良好的饮食习惯能大大减少患心脏病的机率。
• Alcohol lessens resistance to diseases. 含有酒精的饮料会减弱对疾病的抵抗力。

4 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

5 optimally   

最佳

参考例句：

• In the classic script for a Cartel, the group sets a unified optimally exploiting price structure. 按照卡特尔的传统范本，这个集团制定出一个统一的最有利于剥削的价格结构。 来自辞典例句
• RF power LDMOS with a trench drift region is optimally designed. 对射频功率LDMOS槽形漂移区的结构进行了优化设计。 来自互联网

6 brewing   

n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• It was obvious that a big storm was brewing up. 很显然，一场暴风雨正在酝酿中。
• She set about brewing some herb tea. 她动手泡一些药茶。