Most people blame their restless nights on coffee, but the truth is, many other drinks can disrupt your sleep even more. The beverages you sip in the evening can have a surprising impact on how fast you fall asleep, how deeply you rest, and whether you wake up groggy. While coffee is famous for its caffeine, some drinks sneak in unexpected ingredients that sabotage your slumber. Sleep is essential for your mood, focus, and overall health, so it pays to know what to avoid. If you’re serious about getting better rest, it’s time to look beyond your morning cup of joe and reconsider your evening beverage choices. Here are eight drinks that can destroy your sleep more than coffee ever could.
1. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are marketed as quick fixes for low energy, but they’re a nightmare for sleep quality. These drinks pack a heavy punch of caffeine—often more than coffee—and throw in stimulants like taurine and guarana. This combination can keep your heart rate up and your mind racing long after bedtime. Unlike coffee, which most people drink in the morning, energy drinks are often consumed in the afternoon or evening. That means their effects can linger well into the night, making it tough to wind down or stay asleep.
2. Soda (Especially Colas)
Soda may seem harmless, but it can be a sneaky sleep destroyer. Colas and many root beers contain caffeine, sometimes almost as much as a cup of tea. Even caffeine-free sodas are loaded with sugar, which spikes your blood sugar and can lead to energy crashes followed by restless sleep. If you’re sipping soda at dinner or as a late-night treat, you might be sabotaging your chances of a restful night. Next time you reach for a can, think twice about what it could do to your sleep quality.
3. Alcohol
Many people believe a nightcap helps them relax and drift off, but alcohol is notorious for ruining sleep quality. While a drink may make you feel sleepy at first, it disrupts your natural sleep cycle and reduces REM sleep—the stage when your brain restores itself. This means you might fall asleep faster but wake up more often and feel less refreshed. Even moderate drinking in the evening can fragment your rest and leave you feeling tired the next day. If you want to protect your sleep quality, consider skipping that glass of wine or cocktail before bed.
4. Sweetened Iced Tea
Iced teas, especially the sweetened bottled kind, are double trouble for sleep. Many are made with black or green tea, which naturally contain caffeine. On top of that, the sugar content in these drinks can cause a spike in energy followed by a crash, making it hard to relax. Some iced teas even have added stimulants or extra caffeine, making them as risky as some sodas. If you crave tea in the evening, opt for caffeine-free herbal blends and skip the sugar to protect your sleep quality.
5. Pre-Workout Drinks
Pre-workout drinks are popular with fitness fans, but they can seriously destroy your sleep quality. These beverages are loaded with caffeine, amino acids, and other stimulants designed to boost performance and energy. If you hit the gym in the late afternoon or evening and follow it up with a pre-workout drink, you might be wide awake for hours after you want to be asleep. The effects can last longer than you think, making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. To avoid this, schedule workouts and any pre-workout drinks earlier in the day.
6. Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk may seem like a comforting bedtime treat, but it contains both sugar and caffeine. The caffeine comes from cocoa, and while it’s not as much as coffee, it can still affect sensitive sleepers. The sugar rush can also cause a spike in energy followed by a crash, which disrupts your natural sleep cycle. If you’re looking for a warm, soothing drink before bed, choose regular milk or a caffeine-free alternative instead.
7. Kombucha
Kombucha is often praised for its probiotic benefits, but it can be a hidden enemy of good sleep. Many kombucha drinks contain a small amount of caffeine from the tea used in brewing. Some varieties are also higher in sugar or contain trace amounts of alcohol from fermentation. These factors can combine to disturb your sleep quality, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine or sugar. If you enjoy kombucha, try drinking it earlier in the day and pay attention to how it affects your rest.
8. Flavored Waters with Added Stimulants
Not all “waters” are as innocent as they seem. Some flavored waters marketed as energy boosters or focus enhancers contain added caffeine, guarana, or other stimulants. These ingredients can linger in your system and make it difficult to wind down at night. Even if the label doesn’t mention caffeine, check for other energy-boosting additives that might harm your sleep quality. Staying hydrated is important, but plain water is always the safest bet for a restful night.
How to Choose Drinks That Support Restful Sleep
Improving your sleep quality starts with being mindful of what you drink, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime. Many drinks that seem harmless—or even healthy—can destroy your sleep quality without you realizing it. If you’re struggling with restless nights, try swapping out these sleep disruptors for calming, caffeine-free alternatives. Herbal teas, warm milk, and simply sticking to plain water in the evening can make a big difference.
What drinks have you found helpful or harmful for your sleep? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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The post These 8 Drinks Destroy Your Sleep More Than Coffee Ever Could appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
