If you want to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep through the night, there are several important factors to consider. For example, you may want to take a natural supplement before bed to fight off insomnia, or you might try out a range of relaxation methods, such as yoga, meditation, and journaling. However, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your diet. As it turns out, eating and drinking certain things before bed can make it extremely difficult to sleep through the night. While you may already know that alcohol and coffee, for example, should be avoided as much as possible before bed, there’s one lesser-known beverage that could be holding you back from those sweet dreams.
To discover a slightly unexpected beverage that you’re better off avoiding before bed, we spoke to Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet. She told us that matcha is one to be wary of. Read on to learn why!
How matcha may make it difficult to sleep
Matcha is packed with health benefits thanks to its high antioxidant content. Unfortunately, though, despite the fact that it contains calming L-theanine (which is frequently used as a sleep supplement), the caffeine content of this tea could make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
"Drinking matcha, a type of powdered green tea, before bed is generally not recommended due to its potential to cause sleeplessness," Richards tells us. "Matcha contains caffeine, albeit in a smaller amount compared to coffee, but still enough to have a stimulating effect on the body." While you may not frequently consider the caffeine content of tea the same way you do coffee, it's important to remember that matcha does contain a decent amount.
"Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, promoting wakefulness and alertness," Richards explains. "Even a moderate amount of caffeine from matcha consumed in the evening can disrupt the natural sleep cycle and make it difficult to fall asleep or maintain a deep sleep."
But what about the L-theanine? According to her, "the combination of caffeine and L-theanine may still lead to increased alertness and reduced sleep quality." Who knew?!
The bottom line
Of course, matcha is a delicious (and healthy) beverage that you don't need to cut out altogether for the sake of your sleep. Just be sure not to sip on it too close to bedtime. "It is generally advisable to consume matcha earlier in the day to avoid interfering with sleep patterns and promote a restful night's sleep," Richards concludes.
By limiting your intake of caffeinated beverages like this before bed and sticking to calming bedtime habits, you'll be one step closer to a restful, restorative sleep.
READ MORE: The Worst Dinner Food If You Want To Sleep Through The Night, According To Experts
