Let’s Talk About… 

Caffeine 

We all love a coffee after a walk. It is almost as important as the walk for some.

It is one of the most popular and openly accepted drugs, used daily over the world.  As a stimulant it speeds up the messages between the brain and body, influencing the nervous system.  It resembles chemicals in the brain, inhibiting certain actions (especially sleep), but can improve your energy, concentration, focus and reduce the risk of certain health conditions.

It only takes 10 minutes to take effect, affecting everyone differently, but will disrupt your sleep 6 hours ahead by more than one hour.  It has a lingering affect, taking 10 hours to fully leave the bloodstream.

It can be found in coffee, black tea, green tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, medication, naturally in over 60 leaves, seeds and fruits.  Even decaffeinated drinks have some caffine in smaller amounts!

If you are one for a few caffeinated drinks throughout the day, next time consider the timings at which you are drinking caffeine or eating chocolate.  The caffeine blocks the receptors which make you sleepy and help you wind down over the afternoon and evening.  It isn’t the actual caffeine which provides the energy, it confuses the brain in thinking it’s not tired by reducing the signals sent to the body.

There are benefits to reducing the amount of caffeine consumed after midday.  Some research suggests 6 hours ahead of sleep, some say 3pm, others say 12pm.  Find what works for you.  You could get a better night sleep, reduce your weight, decrease anxiety and worry, lower blood pressure, improve your mood and much more… Give it a go and let us know how you get on.