Coffee consumption: Benefits of coffee naps and physiological effects

Health experts are highlighting the physiological effects of coffee consumption, ranging from alertness strategies to digestive impacts. A technique known as a ‘coffee nap’—drinking coffee and immediately taking a 15 to 20-minute nap—can temporarily improve alertness and reaction time by utilizing the window before caffeine reaches the central nervous system to reduce sleep pressure. However, nutritionists warn this is a temporary fix and cannot replace adequate sleep. To avoid sleep inertia or insomnia, it is recommended to use sugar-free coffee and schedule these naps during the early afternoon.

Beyond alertness, coffee affects various bodily functions. Research indicates that approximately one-third of people experience an increased urge to defecate after consumption, a process triggered by compounds other than caffeine. Coffee can also interact with certain medications, such as thyroid and osteoporosis drugs, and may influence cholesterol levels, eye pressure, and gastrointestinal symptoms like acid reflux. Additionally, polyphenols in coffee can interfere with the absorption of non-heme iron from plant-based foods.