Caffeine: Is it good for us?

Is it any surprise caffeine is the most used psychoactive substance worldwide?

85% of Western Europeans consume at least 180mg a day. This is the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee a day.

Do we all have the same effect from caffeine? 

In moderation coffee consumption is ok, however drinking too much, especially after midday, interferes with our sleep patterns and is closely associated with insomnia.

How you deal with caffeine is highly personal! We all know someone who posts about having a late-night espresso, yet never has an issue falling asleep. It’s all down to genetics.

Since caffeine is a common culprit for sleep disturbance, it is good to be mindful of its effects.

Coffee is a central part of modern culture

When was the last time you stopped by your local coffee shop or picked up a bottle of fizzy drink whilst at the petrol station?

We often choose coffee shops as a social meeting point for family and friends, however do you ever think about what your order? 

Coffee comes in many forms, single shot, double shot and sometimes even an extra shot, hot coffee, ice coffee and can even be found in cake. 

I never realised just how much caffeine was in some of the more common beverages.

Below highlights the amount of caffeine in mg per drink;

Starbucks Cappuccino 63 -100 mg

Single Shot Espresso 47 - 64 mg

Single Shot Decaf Espresso 8 mg

Red Bull 80mg 

Coca-Cola, Coke Zero and Diet Pepsi 56 - 57 mg

Diet Coke 46 mg

Black Tea 25 to 48 mg

Green Tea 25 to 29 mg

Decaf Black Tea 5 mg

Decaf Green Tea 2 mg

So, what do you make of this information?

Many of us are consuming a significant amount of caffeine daily. Yet few of us are aware of the effects on our sleep.

As a psychoactive substance, caffeine stays in your body for more than six hours and can affect the circadian rhythm that regulates sleep and being awake. 

Would you like to find out more about the Lantern Clinic? You can book a FREE discovery call with Dr Margarita below.