Why Drinking Coffee Can Make You Feel Sleepy

Most of us can’t face the day without our morning coffee, but it turns out that a hot cup of java can actually help you get the most out of your sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant that is supposed to keep you awake, but if you feel like drinking coffee makes you want to take a nap, you’re not alone. Many people notice that coffee, even if it’s not decaf, makes them feel sleepy.

We at Bright Side were surprised to find out that coffee can help you sleep better. And we’ve searched the Internet to find out the reasons behind it.

1. Caffeine doesn’t disrupt your sleep.

If you’re a coffee-lover, we have good news for you: a late-night cup of Joe won’t affect your sleep. A group of researchers came to the conclusion that drinking coffee within 4 hours of bedtime won’t keep you awake at night. They monitored 785 volunteers for about a week using wrist sensors and sleep diaries, and the results were surprising: caffeine did not disrupt their sleep.

2. You might wake up feeling more energized.

Having a cup of coffee before taking a nap may boost your energy levels. When you’re feeling drowsy, your body produces adenosine — a chemical that promotes sleep. Caffeine prevents adenosine from being received by your brain. That’s why drinking coffee before a nap may help you wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy.

3. Coffee can make you feel tired.

Have you ever felt like you need to go to the bathroom after drinking coffee? This happens because caffeine serves as a diuretic. In other words, you’ll likely make more frequent trips to the bathroom. When your body loses fluids, dehydration takes effect, which, in turn, can make you feel tired and sleepy.

4. It lowers your blood glucose levels.

If you like your coffee sweet with lots of sugar and whipped cream, you may experience a sugar crash soon after drinking it. When your body ingests processed sugars, your blood glucose levels begin to drop. As a result, you may feel a lack of energy and tiredness.

5. Mold in coffee may cause fatigue.

As gross as it may sound, when you’re drinking your cup of coffee, you are likely having a pretty moldy drink. Studies have shown that most coffee beans are contaminated with mold, and toxins in them can make you feel drowsy and worn out.

6. Your body might translate stress into sleepiness.

Have you ever noticed that your cup of java can give you jitters? That’s because drinking coffee doubles the levels of stress hormones in your body, even if you drink the same amount every day. And after the initial response to stress has passed, you may want to sleep to process the experience, as sleepiness and fatigue are natural ways for your body to react to stress.

Do you drink coffee before going to bed? Have you noticed how it affects your sleep?