Coffee is one of the most popular hot drinks around the world. But can it be combined with lemon to improve digestion and sleep, as some claim? There’s a lot of advice out there about the benefits — and potential drawbacks — of drinking coffee with lemon at night.
Proponents say that adding lemon to coffee after hours is a natural solution for calming stomach complaints, improving digestion, and boosting energy levels. All these benefits, according to the claims, can then lead to better sleep results. The beneficial properties of lemon juice, such as Vitamin C and antioxidants, can apparently be magnified when mixed with the caffeine in coffee.
So, can you really drink coffee with lemon at night? Well, the answer depends on how much caffeine you’re having and your individual sensitivity to it. Caffeine is known as a stimulant, which means that it can make most people feel more alert and reduce their feeling of tiredness. If consumed in the late evening or at night, it could affect people’s ability to fall asleep.
Experts suggest that people who struggle to sleep should avoid having coffee with and without lemon for up to six hours before bedtime. On average, it takes around two and a half hours for half the caffeine content you get from a cup of coffee to be processed and broken down in your body. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, even a small amount could affect your sleep quality.
But what if you don’t have caffeine-related sleep issues? Does lemon and coffee increase your alertness in a good way? Well, that depends on your body chemistry and type of coffee. Coffee can also wake up the senses and make you feel energetic, more alert, and more prepared for action. If you don’t have a problem sleeping, you can consider drinking coffee with lemon at night, potentially around 10 minutes before bedtime. Of course, it’s important to pay attention to the recipe and ingredients you choose.
Effects of Coffee with Lemon on Digestion
Drinking coffee with lemon could have positive effects after dinner. In fact, research suggests that lemon juice can help break down fats and proteins in your food, which facilitates digestion. It’s believed that this mixture helps to activate the production of gastric juices, or hydrochloric acid, which is beneficial for healthy digestion. Furthermore, it’s thought that regular consumption of coffee with lemon also helps detoxify the body by eliminating unwanted toxins.
Is Lemon Coffee Safe to Drink Regularly?
Due to its acidic nature, drinking lemon coffee regularly can have side effects. If a person is already struggling with acid reflux, they should avoid the combination of coffee and lemon, as it could further irritate the digestive tract. Lemon juice can also erode your tooth enamel, making your teeth more sensitive. Therefore, if you choose to combine coffee with lemon to improve digestion, one should protect their teeth by brushing them after drinking the mixture.
Potential Benefits of Drinking Coffee with Lemon at Night
If you decide to add lemon to your coffee, it’s generally thought to be a helpful combination for those who suffer from occasional indigestion. In other words, it’s believed that coffee with lemon could be beneficial for some people before bedtime if it is consumed occasionally. The coffee will provide a stimulant effect and the lemon can help to lighten the coffee’s acidity. It helps to reduce some potential negative effects of coffee, like acid reflux.
The Ideal Coffee and Lemon Recipe for Nighttime
For those who want to try coffee with a touch of lemon juice, it’s important to pay attention to the proportions. It’s recommended to start by adding one teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to your coffee. It’s also best to avoid adding too much sugar. Finally, if you choose to add milk to your coffee, try to opt for plant-based milk instead of dairy milk. Almond milk is an ideal choice as it’s low in sugar and fat.
Risks of Leaving Out the Lemon From your Coffee
Although coffee with lemon has potential benefits, drinking coffee without lemon can also be beneficial. For instance, if you don’t have acidity issues, coffee without lemon can provide similar feelings of alertness in the evening. In other words, coffee without lemon could be helpful for those who are used to drinking it or those who don’t have digestion issues. Furthermore, as soon as it’s after dinner and before heading to bed, it’s best to limit the amount of caffeine in your cup. A single espresso shot, for instance, is best.
Other Alternatives to Coffee at Night
If you don’t want to drink coffee but still want a hot, relaxed evening tea ritual, there are a few alternatives. For instance, Chamomile tea is known to aid digestion and induce sleep. It’s also known as an anti-inflammatory due to its compounds such asterpenoids and flavonoids. Perhaps the best thing, however, is that it doesn’t contain caffeine.
Moreover, green tea has also been linked to aiding digestion. It’s not only known to have high concentrations of flavonoids and antioxidants, but it’s also considered one of the most digestible teas. While it does contain caffeine, it’s known to have far less than coffee. The mixture of theanine and caffeine can also help people become more relaxed when drinking green tea in the evening. Therefore, opting for green tea could be a great alternative that helps induce relaxation at night.
How to Embrace Mindful Drinking to Improve Sleep
It’s favoured that, whenever it’s possible, we all pay attention to what we drink before bedtime. Keeping a drinking journal can help you understand and be aware of your evening routine and its effects on your sleep. You can also use mindfulness practices before drinking your favourite beverage. For example, you can close your eyes, take a deep breath, and connect with the sensations that come with your drinking ritual. It’s important to pay attention to the smell, the taste, and the texture of the drink. This kind of mindful practice can help you be present and aware of what you’re consuming evening after evening.
Tips for Drinking Coffee with Lemon at Night
For those who decide to add lemon to their coffee at night, here are a few tips to make the most of it:
- Start with a small amount of lemon juice.
- Take it easy on the sugar.
- Skip the afternoon coffee, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
- Think about switching to green tea in the afternoon instead of coffee.
- Commit to a mindful drinking ritual.
The Final Verdict on Drinking Coffee with Lemon at Night
Ultimately, whether coffee with lemon is good for you at night or not depends on your individual caffeine sensitivity and digestion issues. If you suffer from heartburn or other digestive issues, adding lemon to your coffee before bedtime could help you ease them. However, it’s important to start by adding only a small amount of lemon juice. Additionally, if you struggle to fall asleep, or if you feel anxious during the night, it might be best to avoid the caffeine-containing coffee with or without lemon. It’s best to check for alternative teas or other hot drinks that can aid you in getting a good night’s sleep instead.
