The main ingredient in coffee is caffeine - a central nervous system stimulant. When drinking coffee in the morning, caffeine helps stay alert and work more effectively.
However, if consumed after noon, especially from 12pm onwards, caffeine can stay in the body for many hours after that, disrupting the natural sleep cycle. According to research, caffeine can stay in the blood for 6 to 8 hours, meaning that if you drink coffee at 2pm, you can still be affected at 10pm, making it difficult to fall asleep.
The consequences of insomnia are not only fatigue the next day but also reduced concentration, affecting memory and mood. Consuming caffeine within 6 hours of bed reduces overall sleep duration by up to an hour. For people who have the habit of sleeping late or experiencing chronic insomnia, drinking coffee after 12 noon can aggravate the problem.
Instead of coffee, in the afternoon, you can choose light drinks such as herbal tea or water to maintain alertness without affecting sleep. Understanding the effects of caffeine and adjusting consumption habits is a way to help both take advantage of the benefits of coffee and protect long-term health.
