I have read that because coffee raises cortisol and our cortisol is highest when we first wake, we should avoid drinking in the first hour after waking.

I think both of the facts above are established facts, still I did not get the sense that anyone had directly tested negative outcomes from first-thing-in-the-morning-coffee.

I wonder if you know anything about this? (I am morning drinker, and have now clipped my drinking to early afternoon, based on evidence like that you are showing.)

~~

Also Michael, you should consider filtering your coffee. Many of the benefits of coffee go away when you are drinking it unfiltered. (and no a metal grate is not good enough... but I think you could post filter an espresso if you arranged your rig properly)