Are There Benefits of Drinking Decaf Coffee at Night?

If you love coffee but struggle to get a good night’s sleep, this post is for you!

As a nurse practitioner, I’ve seen countless patients struggling with insomnia who also happen to be coffee lovers.

My patients often initially insist that caffeine doesn’t affect their sleep quality, but when they try drinking less caffeine, it often makes a significant difference. 

One of the biggest reasons I believe so strongly in decreasing daily caffeine consumption is because it’s made a huge difference in my life.

For the past several years, I’ve relied on decaffeinated coffee to give me the satisfaction of a warm cup of joe without the stimulating effects of caffeine.

And I absolutely love being able to get uninterrupted sleep at night while still enjoying my favorite beverage!

Although getting higher quality sleep at night has many potential benefits, are there other benefits of drinking decaf coffee at night?

As it turns out, there are plenty of reasons why you may want to swap out your regular cup of joe for its decaffeinated counterpart.

I’ll also cover my picks for the best decaf brands.

Let’s get to it!

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Have a Happier Bladder

Caffeine is a notorious bladder irritant, meaning that after you drink it, you’ll often feel a stronger urge to use the restroom more frequently.

However, by decreasing your caffeine intake, you also decrease bladder irritation and your nighttime bathroom trips.

It’s really a win-win!

​Although caffeine irritates the bladder, it’s also worth noting that dehydration can also cause increased urgency and frequency.

Getting enough fluids on a daily basis is a crucial part of overall health. Still, many people don’t consume nearly enough fluids.

However, by adding decaf coffee to your bedtime routine, you can help increase your daily fluid intake and decrease your risk of dehydration and bladder infections.

Whether you struggle with insomnia or not, if you’re plagued with bladder issues, consider reducing your daily caffeine content and increasing your overall fluid intake for a happier bladder.

Channel a Sense of Hygge in Your Life

Is there anything more comforting than a steaming mug of coffee?

Nope!

The term “hygge” was popularized several years ago. In case you’re not familiar, it is a Danish term meaning to relax, slow down, and soak in the small pleasures of life. 

Embracing the concept of hygge at the end of a long day is one of the best ways to prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

In fact, many sleep experts recommend creating a consistent, hopefully relaxing, bedtime routine to prepare your body for peacefully drifting off.

And to me, nothing says hygge quite like wrapping my hands around a fresh cup of coffee!

But “caffeine kick” and “bedtime” are definitely not friends.

Fortunately, you can swap out your caffeinated brew for decaf options that taste exactly the same.

Thanks to decaf brews, you can make the taste of coffee part of your regular bedtime routine!

Reduce Your Risk of Cancer and Heart Disease

Research suggests that coffee (even decaf) contains antioxidants.

Antioxidants are known for reducing damage within the body by combatting free radicals. They may even help in the prevention of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Therefore, drinking coffee on a regular basis can help prevent several serious chronic diseases.

It’s important to note that the antioxidants in coffee aren’t magical.

In other words, if you’re not following a generally healthy diet and exercising regularly, drinking decaf coffee before bed every night isn’t going to outweigh the negative effects of a poor lifestyle.

However, the health benefits of decaf coffee can be a great addition to other healthy lifestyle choices.

Better Mental Health

Aside from the pure joy an evening coffee brings, research suggests that certain compounds found in coffee may help combat depression.

In my experience as a nurse practitioner, one of the first questions I ask patients struggling with anxiety and depression is how much caffeine they consume daily.

​Too much caffeine not only spikes anxiety but interferes with quality sleep at night.

And without a solid 7-9 hours of sleep, it’s much tougher to deal with the stresses of daily life, much less the traumatic events my patients often go through.

But by incorporating decaf coffee into your daily routine, you not only reap the benefits of the nutrients naturally found in coffee, but you also sleep more soundly at night.

Best Decaf Coffee Options

​I love decaf coffee and have tried several different brands. If you’re new to decaf, start with one of these tested brands.

Best Decaf Espresso

​I’ve tried several espresso brands because I enjoy experimenting with different copycat versions of big chain coffee shops whose drinks rely on espresso.

This one is my favorite because of its bold flavor that holds up well when mixed with milk and flavor syrups.

It’s also a budget friendly option. 

I generally buy espresso as whole beans rather than ground because it stays fresher longer.

Best Flavored Decaf Coffee

​Although I love coffee in all its forms, flavored coffee is, hands down, my favorite!

​And I love it so much because you get a hint of flavor without all the added sugar from additives such as syrup or creamer.

I’ve tried so many different decaf brands over the years, but the Crazy Cups brand is my absolute favorite!

​As I write this, we are in the midst of the holiday season, and the peppermint mocha is my favorite flavor!

In fact, I recently bought 3 bags of it so I can keep the holiday vibes going all year long.

​If you love flavored coffee, you have to try it!

Best Decaf Cold Brew

​Although I usually love my coffee warm, there are days that simply call for cold brew.

And my favorite cold brew brand is Bizzy.

I’ve generally purchased ground coffee and made my own cold brew, but the brand also offers brew bags, eliminating some of the mess that comes with ground coffee.

Best Overall Decaf Coffee

And for those looking for a great decaf brew with no frills, check out the Dunkin’ brand.

I love their ground coffee!

​Dunkin’ makes a great ground coffee because the flavor is always just right.

It’s the kind of flavor you crave when you think about a quality cup of joe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does decaf coffee have caffeine?

The decaffeination process doesn’t remove all the caffeine from coffee so even decaf brews have a small amount of caffeine.

For comparison, decaf coffee has less than 5 mg of caffeine per cup, while its caffeinated counterpart can have around 90 mg of caffeine per cup.

How much caffeine should you drink every day?

Current dietary recommendations advise sticking with less than 400 mg of caffeine daily. 

But if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you should consume 200 mg or less daily. 

Some people’s bodies don’t break caffeine down efficiently, meaning it can take a long time for it to clear from your system.

This often results in persistent issues with anxiety, difficulty sleeping at night, and digestive issues. 

Several big chain coffee shops have also started offering energy boosts in their drinks, which only ups the caffeine ante. 

Caffeine can be part of a healthy lifestyle if consumed in moderation, but it’s important to pay attention to how it affects your body. 

What happens if you drink too much caffeine?

Drinking extreme amounts of caffeine can result in seizures, so it’s important to keep track of how much caffeine you’re getting, especially if you regularly consume energy drinks in addition to regular caffeinated coffee.

Symptoms of too much caffeine can also include feeling jittery, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, increased heart rate, and nausea. 

How long does it take your body to clear caffeine?

It can take up to 6 hours for half the caffeine you consumed at breakfast to clear your system.

If you consume 100 mg of caffeine at 8 a.m., 50 mg will still be in your system at 2 p.m.

It can take 10 hours or more to completely clear the caffeine from your body.

Anyone with kidney or liver issues will likely take longer to clear caffeine from their system.

As we age, our bodies tend to process everything more slowly, meaning the older you get, the greater the likelihood that you’ll have more side effects from medications and caffeine. 

Even people who have been consuming caffeine for their entire lives often experience a decreased caffeine tolerance as they age.

Luckily, thanks to an array of decaf options, coffee enthusiasts don’t have to give up their brew completely!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, decaf coffee has several positive health effects.

By incorporating decaf coffee into your nighttime routine, you are taking one step toward a better night’s sleep.

Although drinking decaf coffee at night provides several benefits, consider switching to decaf during the day as well.

You just might find that you don’t miss the caffein as much as you think you would.

And if you enjoyed this post, check out my other coffee-inspired content!

• 8 Surprising Benefits of French Press Coffee Brewing
• The Best Ways to Make Decaf Cold Brew
• Iced Americano vs. Iced Coffee: Everything You Need to Know to Create Them at Home
• A Complete Review of the Timemore C2 Manual Coffee Grinder
• The Ultimate Guide to the Best Camping Coffee Grinders
• Dirty Coffee: The Trendy New Drink Everyone is Talking About
• Your Ultimate Guide to Pour-Over Coffee with the Chemex vs. V60
• Reviews of the Best Under Cabinet Coffee Makers for Small Spaces
• Iced Latte vs. Iced Coffee: Differences You Need to Know
• The Best Cold Brew Container for Home Brewing