Caffeine is a drug found naturally in beverages, foods and medications, and it is also used as a food additive. Caffeine stimulates your brain and nervous system; therefore, consuming too much caffeine or consuming it too close to bedtime may leave you jittery or unable to fall asleep and wake you in the middle of the night.
Caffeine Effect
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that takes 15 to 20 minutes to enter your bloodstream. The effect lasts up to 10 hours. Whether consumed in food or medicine, caffeine changes the way your brain and body work and how you behave and feel. Consuming caffeine before bedtime may leave you jittery or unable to fall asleep, and it may wake you out of a restless sleep. It stimulates the brain, elevates your mood and postpones fatigue. Caffeine enhances intellectual tasks and physical endurance. However, it also impairs fine motor coordination. Caffeine is known to stimulate the bladder, which may wake you in the middle of the night with the need to urinate.
Caffeine Sensitivity
Caffeine sensitivity may cause irregular heartbeats that keep you awake at night. According to the Ask the Dietitian website, symptoms of caffeine sensitivity include headaches, tremor, nervousness and irritability. These symptoms may deprive you of a deep sleep. If you experience irregular heartbeats or palpitations that awaken you in the middle of the night, limit your caffeine consumption and consult a doctor.
Consumption
According to the Food and Drug Administration, 80 percent of American adults consume an average of 200 milligrams of caffeine per day, which is equal to two 5-ounce cups of coffee or four sodas. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, 54 percent of all Americans drink coffee daily. One caffeine tablet may contain as much caffeine as three 5-ounce cups of coffee. The recommended daily intake of caffeine is three 5-ounce cups of coffee or six 5-ounce cups of tea. If you have trouble falling asleep or wake throughout the night, avoid caffeinated beverages or foods 10 hours before bedtime, monitor your consumption throughout the day and read food and beverage labels for caffeine additives.
Sources
Caffeine is a stimulant found naturally in beverages such as coffee, tea, chocolate milk, hot chocolate, cola and other soft drinks. According to the FDA, caffeine is a drug and a food additive. It’s added to many prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, such as cold and cough remedies and pain relief. Caffeine may also be added to, or found naturally in energy drinks. Foods containing chocolate or cocoa also contain caffeine.
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