Why Your Cup of Coffee in the Morning May Keep You Up All Night

One of the most common complaints among coffee drinkers is that the caffeine can disturb their sleep. This result has been known for thousands of years and is, in fact, one of the reasons why many drink coffee in the first place: to stay awake.

Some coffee drinkers, on the other hand, claim that their sleep is as restful as ever, regardless of their coffee consumption. And without statistical evidence, who can refute their testimony? While it is obvious that caffeine affects all of us in different ways, it is equally interesting to note that we oftentimes don't know how coffee is affecting our system and, therefore, we cannot evaluate what's happening to our sleep.

Subjects in several studies show that oftentimes coffee drinkers don't have the least idea what a good night's sleep is all about ? so rarely have they recently had one. In brain wave studies, researchers have found that caffeine impairs the quality of sleep during the first three hours, a fact that agrees with the rate of metabolic elimination of caffeine by the liver.

Another researcher noted that caffeine consumption not only substantially delays the onset of sleep, but diminishes the quality of sleep as well. Significantly more body movements were noted among high caffeine users and the quality of sleep was substantially diminished.

One study proved just how ignorant we might be about our sleep. The researcher studied the sleeping habits of medical students and found that many students claimed caffeine did not disturb their sleep, even when objective observations confirmed that it had. This denial, says the researcher, reinforces the clinical impression that many coffee drinkers simply don't attribute undesirable clinical symptoms to their caffeine intake.

This situation illuminates one of the insidious aspects of coffee addiction: we often are unaware of how it affects us. Studies often reveal that respondents reported that, when they quit coffee, they experienced improved energy levels produced by better, more restful sleep.

What is more remarkable is that they believed they had been getting a good night's sleep before they quit drinking coffee. In short,coffee is ruining the sleep of millions of Americans ? and they don't even know it.

Marina Kushner is the founder of the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, the first non-profit organization dedicated solely to educating consumers about the dangers of caffeine intoxication. She is a reformed coffee drinker, leading investigative journalist and speaker. She is president of Soy Coffee, LLC, makers of the popular caffeine-free coffee substitute "Soyfee", which is made from soybeans. Certified organic, its brewed just like coffee and comes in 8 delicious flavors like hazelnut, mocha, french vanilla & house blend. Its available at select health food stores or online at http://www.soycoffee.com.

---

Better Links Directory

The Great Bean Mystery - Find the World?s Best Coffee

Who doesn't love solving a good mystery? Is the Loch... Read More

Coffees of India

India produces two fine coffees, but even among coffee devotees... Read More

How to Make Restaurant Quality Coffee At Home

Have you ever wondered how restaurants get their coffee to... Read More

Arabica Coffee

As you may have guessed, Arabica coffee gets its name... Read More

Choosing A Coffee Maker - Tips On Finding The Right Features

Choosing a good coffee maker is not a decision to... Read More

Coffee Storage Myths; Freeze Your Fresh Roasted Coffee & Other Popular Misconceptions

So you are finally fed up with that bland black... Read More

Arabica Coffee Beans Are Pricey Yet Priceless!

Arabica coffee beans are known for a better-flavored coffee. There... Read More

English Coffee

With English Tea being a very familiar term, English coffee... Read More

Ganoderma Coffee - Can It Be Good For You?

Are you a coffee addict? Are you searching for a... Read More

Coffee and Asthma?

Here are some facts about the relationship between coffee and... Read More

Coffee Roasting: Learning the Fundamental Art of Making Coffee Can be Fun

Coffee roasting from light to very dark, is an art... Read More

Italian Roast Coffee For An Authentic Espresso

One of the things people think of with Italy is... Read More

Portrait of a Barista

The barista is the Italian word for the skilled person... Read More

History of Arabian Coffee

Arabian coffee is the quintessential coffee of the world. Arabia... Read More

Make Money In Your Own Coffee Business

A 2001 survey by the National Coffee Association indicated that... Read More

Roast Your Own Coffee - Secrets Revealed

For years, the idea of roasting your own coffee beans... Read More

Gourmet Coffee Stops Decrease Gas Mileage;Home Brewed Premium Coffee Reduce Traffic Congestion

A researcher has stirred up the commuter coffee mug with... Read More

Specialty Gourmet Coffee

Specialty gourmet coffee is a very hot commodity in today's... Read More

Coffee Makers

If you are a gourmet coffee drinker, you may want... Read More

Does Your Morning Coffee Cause You Pain or Discomfort?

Does your morning coffee cause you pain? Are you frustrated... Read More

Coffee Club Membership Is A Joy For Coffee Lovers

Coffee club membership is a joy for coffee lovers The... Read More

Pure Kona Coffee

Pure Kona Coffee is gourmet coffee grown only on the... Read More

Is Caffeine a Hero or a Villain in Your Life?

Many sober, law abiding people who would never dream of... Read More

Getting Fat These Days; Is it Starbucks

Starbucks has seen tremendous growth in our cities and the... Read More

6 Delicious Coffee Recipes

Do you love coffee? Most of us do. In this... Read More