Caffeine and Sleep Disruption

A recent article in Nutrition Action health letter reminds it’s readers that relying on caffeine during the day to overcome a sleep deprived night can set you up in a vicious cycle. Timothy Roehrs of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit said, “disturbed sleep leads to sleepiness and then to increased caffeine consumption, which can lead to more disturbed sleep.” For some people who are slow metabolizers of caffeine, there may still be enough in their system to interfere with nighttime sleeping, even if they cut it off earlier in the day. American University’s Laura Juliano believes people don’t always realize how much caffeine affects their sleep. Both Roehrs and Juliano report that people who stop their caffeine intake usually report sleeping sounder and longer. For some the Starbucks grande might be too much caffeine, even in the morning….. Nutrition Action   December, 2012