Most of us have heard that drinking caffeine in the evening can keep us up at night. But what does the science say? Can I drink coffee at 5pm and still get a good night’s sleep?
If you’re not sensitive to caffeine, then you can drink coffee at 5pm and still sleep just fine. But if you are sensitive to caffeine, then you might want to avoid drinking coffee in the evening. I recommend giving at least 6 hours after your last cup off coffee before going to bed
Read on to find out whether you should cut off caffeine before bed or not.
Can I Drink Coffee at 5pm
You might have heard that coffee is bad for you, or that you shouldn’t drink it after a certain time. But is there any truth to these claims? What about drinking coffee at 5 pm, or even later? Let’s take a closer look. All coffee has caffeine, so does that mean I can’t drink coffee late at night?
Coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. This means that it can speed up your heart rate and make you feel more alert.
Coffee can take up to 10 hours to fully digest through your system. But it does have a half-life of about 5 to 6 hours. Leaving it at least 6 hours before bed will give your body the best chance at having the best rest.
Time to drink coffee | Half caffeine in your system | No caffeine in your system |
Have a coffee at 4 pm | 10 pm | 2 am |
Have a coffee at 5 pm | 11 pm | 3 am |
Have a coffee at 6 pm | 12 am | 4 am |
The key is to find a balance that works for you. If you’re feeling jittery or wired after drinking coffee, try switching to decaf or limiting yourself to one cup per day.
Drinking coffee at 5 pm may be ok if your body deals with caffeine well. It really does depend on the individuals’ caffeine sensitivity and sleep schedule.
However, if you’re trying to avoid caffeine 6 hours before bed, it’s best to stick to decaf or herbal tea in the evening.
Can You Drink Coffee After 5pm
It’s a common misconception that coffee is a bad choice to drink before bed. While it’s true that caffeine is a stimulant, the effects of coffee wear off after about 6 hours.
So if you drink coffee at 5pm, you’re not likely to have trouble falling asleep. In fact, some research suggests that coffee may actually improve sleep quality.
So if you’re looking for a way to wake up and feel more alert in the evening, coffee may be a good option.
Just be sure to limit yourself to one or two cups so you don’t end up feeling jittery.
How Long Will Caffeine Stay In My System If I Drink Coffee At 5pm
If you’re someone who’s sensitive to caffeine, you may want to avoid drinking coffee after 5pm.
Caffeine can stay in your system for up to 10 hours, so if you drink coffee at 5pm, you may still have caffeine in your system when you go to bed at 3 am – Albeit, a very small amount.
If your body is very sensitive to caffeine then this could make it difficult for you to fall asleep and lead to a restless night. If you do decide to drink coffee after 5pm, try to limit yourself to one cup and drink it 6 to 10 hours before bedtime.
This will give your body time to metabolize the caffeine and hopefully avoid keeping you up all night.
Will Coffee At 5pm Affect Sleep
It’s the age-old question: should you have coffee before bed? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, it’s generally best to avoid caffeine in the evening if you’re hoping to get a good night’s sleep.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and it can take several hours for the effects to wear off.
So if you have a cup of coffee at 5pm, you may find it difficult to fall asleep at your usual bedtime.
In addition, caffeine can interfere with REM sleep, the stage of sleep when we dream and our memories are consolidated.
As a result, you may wake up feeling groggy and unfocused if you’ve had caffeine before bed.
So, why do people drink coffee after dinner? While there’s nothing wrong with an occasional after-dinner coffee, it’s best to enjoy it earlier in the day if you want to avoid affecting your sleep.
Final Thoughts
So, can you drink coffee at 5pm? It depends on your own personal tolerance and how you’re using it.
If you’re drinking coffee to wind down after a long day, then go ahead!
But if you’re finding that it’s keeping you up at night, try switching to decaf or limiting yourself to one cup per day.
Either way, find what works best for you and stick to it. Thanks for reading!