The debate about coffee’s health benefits has already been settled by science. Meta studies spanning millions of test subjects prove that coffee is good for you in at least a dozen different ways. But does coffee affect sleep?
Coffee is one of those drinks that people enjoy early in the morning and late in the evening. And yet you may have heard someone say at least once that they can’t sleep after a cup of coffee late at night. So if you don’t suffer from that problem, should you still be drinking coffee at night?
Keep reading as we discuss what time to drink coffee for optimal health.
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Is It Okay to Drink Coffee at Night?
Like many things, it depends. Coffee contains caffeine, a natural diuretic that induces that jittery, feel-good sensation after a strong shot of espresso. Many people rely on caffeine to wake up early in the morning and get their day started.
For those people, drinking coffee at night is often a terrible idea because it prevents them from falling asleep. Caffeine may interrupt your body clock. And thanks to the caffeine half-life, it may take hours before it leaves your system entirely.
So the answer is pretty cut and dry: do not drink coffee at night if it affects your sleep. A full night’s sleep is essential to your overall health. Coffee for fitness in the morning is a much better bet.
Drinking Coffee at Night to Promote Sleep
That said, many people love a cup of Joe late in the evening. Ask them how it feels, and they’d tell you the coffee relaxes them and makes sleep come easier. This is because, for some people, coffee has a very different effect depending on the time of day.
For a select few, coffee promotes wakefulness and alertness in the morning. Then, when they have a cup before bed, it makes them sleepy and allows them to enjoy a full night’s rest.
You will have to determine for yourself whether you fall into the first or second camp. It depends on your individual physiology.
When to Drink Coffee If It Makes Sleeping Difficult
If you are part of the unfortunate ones that fall into the first camp—coffee ruins your sleep—then when should you stop drinking it? Generally speaking, you should avoid caffeine about 10 to 12 hours before you go to sleep. This gives your body plenty of time to process it out of your system and promote natural sleepiness.
The same goes for any coffee supplement, energy drink, or substance that contains caffeine.
Enjoy Your Next Cup of Coffee
Coffee is the most important part of the morning for many people, but coffee at night can be problematic. Caffeine promotes wakefulness, which may interrupt your body’s natural sleeping schedule. This depends on your unique physiology, so you should do what works best for you.
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