While cold drinks may seem refreshing, especially after a long day, consuming them at night could disrupt your body’s natural rhythms and cause discomfort.
Your digestive system, metabolism, and even your sleep can be affected by the temperature of your beverages before bed.
In this guide, we’ll explore why it’s better to avoid cold drinks at night and how making this simple change could improve your health and sleep quality.
Why You Should Skip Cold Drinks at Night
1. Disrupts Digestion and Causes Discomfort
When you drink cold beverages, your body’s internal temperature drops. This sudden cooling can slow down digestion, making it harder for your body to process food efficiently, especially after a long day of eating.
During the night, your metabolism naturally slows, and your body focuses on rest and recovery rather than active digestion. Drinking cold drinks can upset this delicate balance, potentially leading to bloating, discomfort, or indigestion.
“Cold drinks can cause the blood vessels in the digestive tract to constrict, which makes it harder for your digestive system to process food and liquids properly,” says Dr. Emily Larson, a nutritionist with a focus on digestive health. “When consumed at night, cold drinks can make your body’s digestive process sluggish, leading to discomfort and even sleep disturbances.”
2. Affects Your Sleep Quality
Cold drinks can negatively impact your sleep. The body’s core temperature naturally drops as you prepare for rest, signaling that it’s time to relax. When you consume cold drinks, you interrupt this process by forcing your body to work harder to regulate its internal temperature.
In addition to temperature disruption, cold drinks that contain caffeine or sugar may also contribute to sleep disturbances by stimulating your nervous system. Even seemingly harmless iced teas or sodas may contain caffeine, which can interfere with your ability to fall asleep or cause nighttime awakenings.
3. Strain on Your Circulatory System
Your circulatory system works to maintain your body temperature and blood flow. Cold beverages, particularly late at night, can cause constriction of blood vessels, affecting your circulation. This constriction makes it harder for your body to regulate internal temperature and blood flow, leading to potential discomfort or restlessness.
What to Drink Instead?
1. Herbal Teas
Warm herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, or ginger tea can help calm the digestive system and promote relaxation before bed. These teas are known for their soothing properties and can improve sleep quality without causing any digestive discomfort. Chamomile, in particular, is often recommended for its natural sedative effects. It can help relax the nervous system and encourage deeper, more restful sleep.
2. Warm Water with Lemon
A simple, yet effective drink option is warm water with a slice of lemon. Not only does it hydrate, but it also supports digestion and can help calm the stomach. The warm temperature makes it gentle on the digestive system and promotes a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere before sleep.
3. Milk or Non-Dairy Alternatives
Warm milk or non-dairy alternatives like almond milk are often recommended for their natural sleep-inducing properties. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin, which are hormones involved in sleep regulation. The warmth of the milk also has a calming effect on the body, making it a perfect choice before bed.
While cold drinks can be refreshing during the day, they are best avoided at night. Drinking cold beverages late in the evening can disrupt digestion, interfere with your sleep, and place unnecessary strain on your circulatory system. By choosing warm, soothing drinks like herbal teas, warm water with lemon, or milk, you can help your body relax, promote better digestion, and improve sleep quality.
