Facts about Drinking Lemon and Coffee at Night
Every night, millions of people reach out for a cup of coffee or lemon juice in an attempt to stay energized and awake. But do we really need it? Should we be drinking coffee or lemon juice at night?
There is a common belief that drinking coffee at night can lead to an energy crash and an overall decrease in quality of sleep. Studies have suggested that caffeine blocks some of the properties of sleep-promoting hormones, making it difficult to achieve deep and quality sleep. Additionally, caffeine can impact the intensity of REM sleep, in turn leading to a decrease in mental alertness and memory formation.
Lemons, on the other hand, contain compounds that help to promote a good night’s sleep. Research suggests that compounds found in lemons, such as hesperidin, increase the production of serotonin and melatonin, both of which play a major role in inducing sleep. Employing lemons in your diet can aid in producing higher quality sleep and overall improved health.
Aside from their potential effects on sleeping, drinking coffee and lemon juice before going to bed can also have further long-term effects, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and anxiety. Drinking coffee before bed increases the risk of both short-term and long-term heart health problems and studies suggest that drinking lemon juice before bed can lead to anxiety. Thus, it is advisable to only have limited amounts of coffee and lemon juice, as too much can be harmful to your health.
It is also important to note that coffee and lemon juice can have different effects on individuals due to their unique body chemistries. Some may be able to tolerate coffee or lemon juice before bed, while others may suffer from too much of it. It is therefore recommended to be mindful of one’s own body and not consume coffee or lemon juice if one has been experiencing symptoms.
Research has also revealed that lifestyle choices, such as eating before bed or exercising, also play a role in affecting how one sleeps and how much coffee or lemon juice is consumed. Eating too late can lead to difficulty in sleeping and inability to rest adequately, while exercise can influence one’s energy levels, meaning that the need for coffee or lemon juice before bed can be eliminated.
Effects on Focus and Concentration
Coffee and lemon juice can have positive effects on focus and concentration, depending on when and how much one consumes. Drinking coffee in the morning or afternoon can help energize and improve performance, but drinking coffee before bed can have the opposite effect. Excessive amounts of coffee have been shown to cause a decrease in reactivity and performance.
While caffeine may have a detrimental effect on focus and concentration, lemon juice can have the opposite effect due to the presence of Vitamin C in lemons, which has been proven to improve alertness and focus. Studies suggest that consuming lemon juice before bed can help with focus and concentration levels the following day.
In addition, drinking lemon juice has been associated with improving appetite and healthy living. Vitamin C found in lemon juice helps to increase the body’s metabolism, in turn aiding in losing weight. Additionally, the presence of antioxidants in lemon juice aids in eliminating free radicals, which can help to reduce the risk of diseases like cancer.
Moreover, drinking lemon juice can help reduce the risk of kidney stones, as lemon juice can make the urine less acidic. This can aid in preventing kidney stones, by reducing the formation of calculi in the kidneys.
Food Pairings
Sometimes coffee and lemon juice can be combined in certain concoctions to enhance the potential positive effects. For instance, mixing coffee with honey and lemon juice can yield benefits such as improved digestion, by aiding the pancreas in producing more digestive enzymes. Coffee and lemon juice can also be combined with green tea in order to reduce the effects of caffeine on the body.
Mixing coffee and lemon juice with other ingredients can also lead to enhanced flavor and taste, as the acidity of lemon juice helps to bring out the flavor of coffee. Furthermore, lemon juice also adds a slight sweetness to any mixture.
Consuming coffee and lemon juice in one’s diet can also be beneficial for athletes and those who exercise regularly. Combining coffee and lemon juice with carbohydrates can provide an added boost in energy and help the body to recover quicker from intense workouts.
Drinking Alternatives and Substitutes
While coffee and lemon juice may provide various health benefits, there are alternative drinks that can provide one with the same benefits in a much healthier way. Herbal teas, for instance, have been known to reduce stress levels, improve sleep and enhance focus and concentration.
Herbal teas, such as chamomile, rooibos, or peppermint, are not only healthy but also help to promote a good night’s sleep. Additionally, one can consume warm milk or chamomile tea with honey to aid in better quality sleep.
Aside from herbal teas, green smoothies with bananas, oats and nuts can provide substantial energy and help to reduce stress levels. Coconut water or aloe vera water are also excellent substitutes and are known to help improve one’s overall health.
Final Thoughts
Drinking coffee and lemon juice at night can have several benefits such as improved focus and concentration and boosting energy. But it is important to be mindful of the effects that drinking coffee or lemon juice can have on individuals as too much of either can be harmful to one’s health. Therefore, it is advisable to only consume limited amounts of coffee and lemon juice and to instead opt for alternative drinks.
