Whether you are a caffeine addict or completely against the coffee craze, we have all heard the age-old debate on if caffeine affects your sleep and if it should subsequently be avoided during the evening. We are here to set the record straight once and for all! Unfortunately for all you coffee lovers, caffeine can affect your sleep. But, it is not as simple and clear-cut as a “yes” or “no” answer.
The consumption of caffeine evokes a strong response from your body's nervous system. Specifically, it slows down the production of adenosine, the molecule responsible for your body's drowsiness. Thus, making you feel awake and energized. So, as you can imagine, drinking caffeine right before bed can create a hindrance in your ability to naturally feel drowsy, tired, and ready for sleep.
So, why isn’t there just a clear-cut answer, then? That is because there are a lot of other contributing factors toward the caffeine and sleep debate. Such as the amount you are drinking, how much sugar is in the coffee, what type of coffee bean is used, and your personal taste for caffeine.
Some people can drink multiple cups of coffee a day and still feel nothing. If this sounds like you, you are probably caffeine resistant (but be careful, more than 4 cups a day is not recommended as it can induce anxiety, and accelerate your heart rate). Whereas, others will be up all night from just a sip or two past lunchtime.
Or, if you are drinking an extremely sugary caffeinated drink, sugar can also be a contributing factor to your sleepless night. You should also note the amount of caffeine in the different roasted beans. Light and medium roast beans have more caffeine than dark roast beans. Seems like it would be the opposite, but it is not!
So, depending on when you drink your coffee, what the roast is, the sugar content, and your resistance to the effects of caffeine, it can affect your sleep!
References
https://polysleep.ca/blogs/wellness/effects-of-coffee-before-bed
https://www.javapresse.com/blogs/buying-coffee/differences-between-light-medium-dark-roasted-coffee
