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Does Drinking Too Much Coffee Permanently Affect Your Sleep?

Science might just have the answer - by Alex Pierotti
  • 14 Aug 2018
Does Drinking Too Much Coffee Permanently Affect Your Sleep?
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Is it even possible to function without a morning cuppa? And with countless stories telling us how good caffeine is for our health, there's even more reason to indulge. But unfortunately, we may have some bad news.

According to research conducted by Seoul University in South Korea, drinking two cups a day for more than 30 years can shrink the part of the brain responsible for sleep control. 

Recruiting 162 healthy but elderly participants, scientists explored their coffee habits and how much shut eye they managed.  

RELATED: Your Morning Coffee Order Says A Lot About You

In their investigation, they assessed the volunteers with MRI brain scans of their pineal gland - the part of the brain that releases the hormone melatonin which tells the body when it's time to sleep. 

The scans revealed moderate to heavy drinkers - more than two cups a day - had 20 per cent smaller glands than those who don't drink. 

Researchers say that long-term consumption may be the cause for shrinkage leading to chronic insomnia. However, experts also note that the type of coffee people were drinking was not taken into account.

Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti is the Digital Content Editor for Men's Health Australia, with experience reporting on health, fitness and sport. With a Journalism degree from UNSW under his belt, he got his start working in TV, working on the live broadcast of the Intrust Super Shute Shield on 7TWO before making the switch to print and digital at Pacific Magazines.

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