Avoid caffeine six hours before bedtime, researchers say

Detroit – Consuming caffeine up to six hours before going to bed can result in poor sleep, concludes a study from the Henry Ford Sleep Disorders and Research Center.

Using caffeine pills and a placebo, researchers evaluated the effect of caffeine on sleep among a dozen healthy people. The dose of caffeine was 400 milligrams, which is equal to two or three cups of coffee. Study participants who consumed the caffeine three or six hours before bed experienced sleep disturbances and less overall sleep time, the researchers found. However, those participants tended not to realize their sleep was affected.

Based on the findings, researchers recommend avoiding caffeine use for a minimum of six hours before bed, according to the study abstract.

The study was published in the Nov. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.