It is often said that caffeine is what turns ideas into codes. There has been conflicting schools of ideas that consider coffee as something that boosts productivity. A recent article published at Harvard Business Review suggested to prefer learning something new instead of coffee breaks to increase the productivity, whereas an article published at New York Times backed the idea of sitting in a coffee shop and doing your work. And, if you're mulling what you should do, here's another cracker - according to a recent study, caffeine consumption 3 to 6 hours before going bed can cost you an hour of sleep.
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep followed the sleeping habits of 12 people. They were given pills which contained 400mg of caffeine or an amount of caffeine that's equivalent to two or three cups of coffee. Findings suggested to avoid coffee consumption after 5pm.
"Drinking a big cup of coffee on the way home from work can lead to negative effects on sleep just as if someone were to consume caffeine closer to bedtime."
"People tend to be less likely to detect the disruptive effects of caffeine on sleep when taken in the afternoon," said Psychiatrist Professor Christopher Drake, of Wayne State University.
Earlier studies have also proved that the caffeine stimulating effects last for as long as six hours after consumption. More than four cups of coffee per day has been considered as ill practice.
In contrast, researchers at Bristol University have shown that drinking several cups of coffee every morning can actually boost your productivity. Data show that Britons spend about £850 million on coffee per year.
It is not just the coffee which contains caffeine. Products like tea, energy drinks, chocolates, and cola drinks too have caffeine in them. Guarana and yerba mate are two herbal products that are also found to carry caffeine in them.
