By Steven Smith & Rom Preston-Ellis
A sleep expert has explained why your favourite cup of tea might be the culprit behind your insomnia troubles.
As a nation, Brits down 100 million cups of tea every single day, with two in five people admitting to drinking between five to ten cups daily. Our beloved English breakfast tea is indeed one of our many comforts, yet there's a surprising twist: this love affair with tea may be meddling with our ability to get a good night's sleep.
In recognition of National Tea Day on April 21, sleep specialists at MattressNextDay \- the folks behind the poll - delved into the UK's most-loved hot beverage in their recent research, uncovering when exactly it's best to stop sipping on tea in order to safeguard your sleep.
A warning from sleep expert Martin Seeley at MattressNextDay advises against indulging in that comforting cup of tea before you hit the sack. Contrary to the belief that this soothing drink encourages sleep, he says otherwise. He cautioned: "Cups of tea are consumed by many, as is tradition in the UK, whether they're made in vast quantities on the tea round in the office or offered to others as a gesture of goodwill and kindness for a pick me up.
"Tea contains amino acid L-theanine, which promotes relaxation - however, studies suggest that drinking drinks with caffeine in the six-hour period before bedtime can lead to a disturbed sleep. Even stopping your tea intake a few hours before bedtime is not enough to mitigate the sleep-preventing effects of the caffeine contained. Avoid drinking tea from around 3pm to ensure sleep isn't affected."
Your favourite cuppa could be the reason you're tossing and turning at night, reports Bristol Live. Many of us enjoy a comforting brew before hitting the hay. However, MattressNextDay has shed light on the dark side of our beloved tea aisle, revealing the brands with the highest caffeine content that could be ruining your peaceful slumber.
The nation's favourite tea brand, PG Tips, is the biggest offender when it comes to keeping you awake, according to MattressNextDay. The caffeine content in one mug of PG Tips with a splash of milk is equivalent to that in a teaspoon of instant coffee brand Nescafe.
Caffeine content was taken from each brand’s respective nutritional information on brand website. For herbal tea brands, caffeine content was recorded from their English Breakfast Tea product
Craving a cuppa after 3pm? Here’s what to drink instead
However, all hope is not lost - Martin at MattressNextDay appreciates the UK’s love of all things comforting and so have provided key alternatives for drinking in the lead up to bedtime.
1. Lavender tea - The best tea for making you sleepy
Made by brewing the buds of the lavender plant in hot water, lavender tea is a caffeine-free, sleep-inducing warm nighttime beverage.
Studies have shown that especially for older adults, lavender tea can effectively reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which directly relate to insomnia. By stimulating brain activity and influencing impulse transmissions between brain cells, lavender has been found to produce a calming effect on your nervous system.
2. Chamomile tea - Best tea for reducing pain and inflammation
With an aromatic earth-floral flavour, chamomile tea is well-known for its calming effects. With medicinal relaxing properties, chamomile tea reduces feelings of stress and anxiety.
Within the tea, a flavonoid (natural substance) called apigenin creates a mild sedative effect, by binding to receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for making you feel sleepy and reducing anxiety, so chamomile tea enhances this process.
Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to minimise pain, stomach cramps or other conditions that might be keeping you up at night.
3. Valerian tea - To help you relax
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) is a chemical in the brain that regulates your nerve cells and promotes feelings of calmness. Valerian is thought to increase the levels of GABA in your brain, reducing anxiety and helping you relax before bed.
Made from the root of the valerian plant, this tea can have an unpleasant smell, so is often mixed with other teas such as lavender or chamomile. However, valerian includes sleep-inducing antioxidants, so can be used before bedtime to help you unwind.
MattressNextDay's online poll asked respondents what some of the tea-drinking habits they do daily. It said 21 stated they drank tea late at night or right before bed, 34 drank tea as soon as they woke up, 47 stated they drank more than five cups per day.