How long does the effect of coffee last? Uncovering the secret of coffee consumption time

Coffee consumption time

Coffee is a common drink and is widely used to refresh and increase alertness. Many people like to drink a cup of coffee in the morning or at work to stay awake. However, many people are also worried that caffeine can cause insomnia or affect sleep quality. Understanding the time of coffee consumption is very important for arranging the drinking time reasonably.

Absorption and metabolism

When we drink a cup of coffee, the main ingredient, caffeine, is quickly absorbed into the blood. After about 15 to 45 minutes, the peak concentration in the blood reaches its highest point. At this time, we will feel excitement and increased alertness.

Next, the body begins to metabolize the caffeine and gradually converts it into more harmless substances that are easily excreted from the body. Usually, about half of the caffeine has been metabolized by the body within 2 hours after ingestion.

Lasting Effect

Although most caffeine is metabolized within 2 hours, its effects do not disappear immediately. In fact, the effects of caffeine can last for several hours or even longer.

Generally speaking, the half-life of caffeine is about 3 to 5 hours. The so-called half-life refers to the time it takes for the body to break down the ingested substance into half of its original state. This means that 3 to 5 hours after ingestion, about half of the caffeine in our body is still unmetabolized.

Specifically, after drinking a regular-sized cup of coffee (about 240 ml), it takes about 4 hours to completely eliminate the 100 mg of caffeine it contains.

Affects sleep

Because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, it may affect our sleep quality and the time it takes to fall asleep. Drinking drinks with higher concentrations of caffeine close to bedtime may cause insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.

Studies have shown that after high doses (over 200 mg) or evening caffeine consumption, sleep onset may be delayed by more than 15 minutes. In addition, even lower doses of caffeine (about 50 mg) during sleep may lead to shallow sleep and frequent awakenings.

Individual Differences

It’s important to note that everyone has different levels of sensitivity and speed in metabolizing caffeine: some people may be able to metabolize caffeine quickly and be insensitive to its effects, while others may be more susceptible.

In addition, other factors such as age, weight, health status and whether other stimulants are consumed at the same time will also affect how long caffeine is consumed in the body.

Summarize

In summary, after drinking a cup of coffee, the main ingredient, caffeine, is quickly absorbed into the blood and about half of it is metabolized by the body within 2 hours. However, due to its long-lasting effect, it can still produce an alertness-enhancing effect for several hours or even longer after intake.

Considering the possible impact of caffeine on sleep, it is recommended to avoid drinking high doses of caffeinated beverages close to bedtime. In addition, individual differences also need to be considered, as everyone has different sensitivity and metabolic rates to caffeine.