Caffeine Affects Sleep Quality
Caffeine is responsible for the majority of people’s preferred afternoon energizing drink. It helps to temporarily improve focus and alertness, and is also found to increase energy and stamina. But it turns out that drinking too much coffee in the evening may not be the best decision for your overall health and wellbeing. Studies suggest that drinking caffeine six hours before bedtime can reduce the amount of deep sleep you would otherwise be getting. Studies conducted on rodents, humans and other animals suggest that when the body is exposed to the stimulant caffeine during the six hours prior to bedtime, the overall quality of sleep is reduced and the person spends less time in deeper stages of sleep.
Caffeine is Highly Addictive and Creates An Unhealthy Dependence
Caffeine is responsible for the natural high that many people experience, creating an appetite and a dependency to rely on it in order to get through the day. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), consuming caffeine in the evening can disrupt general sleep patterns and make it hard to get high quality restful sleep. This is why it is important to limit caffeine intake on a nightly basis and in the hours leading up to bedtime. People who drink a lot of caffeine during the day and follow it up with a cup in the evening not only disrupt their sleep but also put themselves at risk for health problems like insomnia and anxiety.
Side Effects of Caffeine in the Evening
Caffeine is easily absorbed from the gut and within 45 minutes reaches peak levels in the bloodstream. Too much caffeine intaken late in the day can have a stimulating effect which can interfere with sleep if taken too close to bedtime. Drinking coffee in the evening can make it harder to fall asleep, extend the amount of time it takes to drift off, decrease the quality of sleep and disrupt the deeper stages of sleep. Even more than just the physical effects, drinking caffeine in the late afternoon can also have psychological effects. People who consume caffeine in the evening exhibited higher levels of wakefulness, distraction, irritability and an inability to concentrate.
What Experts Say About Caffeine Abuse
The experts recommend that everybody should pay attention to their caffeine consumption and try to reduce if possible. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, adults should not consume more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is equivalent to four 8-ounce cups of coffee. The academy also recommends that people should avoid caffeine any later than six hours before bedtime in order to maintain healthy sleep patterns.
Alternatives to Coffee in the Evening
If people are hooked on the idea of an afternoon pick-me-up, alternatives are available which are much healthier. Instead of having a cup of coffee in the evening, they can drink herbal tea which is loaded with antioxidants and has no caffeine in it. A glass of warm milk also helps to make sure you get good quality restful sleep.
Adults Who Drink Coffee in the Evening Often Lack Proper Sleep
Adults who drink coffee in the evening often lack proper sleep. This lack of sleep can lead to drowsiness, fatigue, and lack of concentration during their day-to-day activities. In addition to this, the unhealthy habit of drinking coffee late in the evening can also lead to weight gain since the energy boost caused by the coffee can make people crave unhealthy snacks and snacks full of sugar.
A Healthy Fox for Caffeine Intake is Good for You
The key is to follow a healthy approach to caffeine intake if you wish to enjoy its benefits without experiencing any adverse effects on your health. Limiting your intake to only one or two cups a day and not consuming it close to bedtime can definitely help improve your overall wellbeing.
Coffee Affects Mental Performance
Drinking coffee in the evening can not only disrupt your sleep but can also affect your mental performance, leading to a lack of focus and difficulty concentrating. People who drink coffee late at night often find it harder to concentrate on tasks at school or work, and they may feel overly stressed and fatigued. Studies have also shown that drinking coffee in the evening increases the risk of depression and anxiety.
Coffee in the Evening Decreases Overall Quality of Life
It is not only physical health that is affected by coffee in the evening. People who drink coffee in the evening often experience an overall lack of quality of life. They lack the energy to engage in activities that bring them joy and may experience low self-esteem due to their inability to stick to their goals.
Coffee in the Evening Can Lead to Addiction
The caffeine present in coffee can lead to a physical dependence on the beverage in the long run, making it harder for people to stop drinking it in the evening. Studies have shown that consuming large amounts of caffeine can create an unhealthy dependence on the drug and disrupt sleep and mental performance. This can lead to serious health problems and an overall decrease in quality of life.
Effects of Caffeine on the Brain
In addition to disrupting sleep, caffeine can also have a detrimental effect on our brains. Studies have shown that drinking coffee in the evening can impair brain health, leading to a decrease in cognitive functions like memory, reasoning and learning abilities. This can lead to poor task performance and difficulty focusing on simple tasks.
Caffeine Affects Heart Function
Drinking coffee in the evening can also lead to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which can be damaging in the long term. Studies have found that overconsumption of caffeine can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and even sudden cardiac death.
Coffee in the Evening Impacts Performance During Exercise
Exercising in the evening can be a great way to end the day, but if you have had coffee in the evening it can lead to impaired physical performance. Studies have found that caffeine consumption can lead to reduced aerobic exercise performance and a decrease in muscular strength and endurance.
Caffeine in the Evening Impacts Stress Levels
Drinking coffee in the evening can result in a cycle of stress that can be hard to break. Caffeine has been found to increase cortisol levels and can lead to feelings of anxiety, tension, and irritability. This can lead to difficulty sleeping and the decrease in quality of sleep which can lead to stress and tension during the day.
Caffeine in the Evening Hurts Overall Wellbeing
From increased stress levels to heart problems, the list of potential adverse effects from having coffee in the evening is long. The key is to be aware of your caffeine intake, limit it to one or two cups a day, and not consume it too close to bedtime. Having a healthy balance between having coffee in the daytime and in the evening is essential for overall health and wellbeing.
