We all enjoy a nightcap now and then, but studies show that doing so could actually lead to a poor night’s sleep. Alcohol is known to be a sedative but even with this being true, drinking before bed can disrupt the sleep cycle and dreams, as well as reducing the overall time spent in restorative sleep mode. Drinking regularly before bed can actually lead to insomnia, snoring and even sleep apnoea.
The study was held by the London Sleep Centre, who noted that the disruption occurred in the latter half of the sleep cycle, with a more consolidated first half, and that drinking regularly before bed could cause significant health problems, such as supressing our breathing – if you do decide to drink beforehand, you should try to leave it around two hours before sleeping so that the body has a chance to break down some of the alcohol.
Alcohol relaxes the muscles, so throat muscles in turn become more vulnerable. In addition to this, some alcohol has additive which can cause nasal congestion, leading to further breathing problems. Lastly, alcohol numbs the brain which means that if any bodily function occurs, the brain recognition is delayed which can cause serious health concerns. There was a significant impact on REM sleep too, showing an overall reduction in the total REM sleep, which is necessary for survival. Reduced REM sleep in humans can lead to fatigue, and can cause problems to the body if this occurs regularly.
The effects of drinking can mess up the mix of chemicals in the brain and body, which cause health concerns if they occur regularly. In order to give your body the best chance to function effectively, you should limit the amount of times you drink before bed, as well as boosting your vitality by eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise.
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