Older women who avoid caffeine experience more sleep disorders, says a study from a research team from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Gettyimagebank

The common belief that drinking coffee at night disrupts sleep might actually be the opposite for older women, according to a study. Older women who regularly drink coffee are less likely to experience sleep disorders and sleep deprivation.

A research team led by Margreet Olthof of the health siences department at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam analyzed the correlation between coffee consumption and sleep among 1,256 people aged 61 to 101 (587 men and 669 women).

The team found that the proportion of sleep-deprived older men (less than 7 hours of sleep per day) was 17 percent, compared to 26.3 percent for women.

Women also reported higher rates of sleep disorders, such as difficulty falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or waking up too early, at 43.4 percent, compared to 25.7 percent for men.

On average, men consumed more caffeine (286 milligrams per day) than women (244 milligrams per day).

The research, titled "Association of Coffee and Tea Caffeine Consumption with Sleep Health in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study," was published in the recent issue of the international journal Nutrients.

Sensitivity to caffeine varies significantly between individuals. Few studies have investigated the relationship between caffeine intake and sleep health among older adults. Yonhap

Relationship between caffeine intake and sleep

Older women who did not consume caffeine experienced more sleep disorders compared to those who did. Specifically, women who did not consume caffeine had a 2.3 times higher risk of sleep deprivation than those who consumed caffeine.

Similarly, older men who consumed caffeine showed a lower tendency toward sleep disorders and sleep deprivation.

Previous studies have shown that caffeine consumption can be beneficial for health, reducing the risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

While caffeine can reduce the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, leading to sleep disruption, few studies have investigated the relationship between caffeine intake and sleep health among older adults.

"There are significant interpersonal differences in caffeine sensitivity, which can be partially attributed to genetic factors," the research team said. "Older females who abstained from caffeine consumption reported more sleep disturbances."

This study suggests that the findings may be a result of women who experience sleep disorders consciously avoiding caffeine or adjusting the timing of their caffeine intake due to its stimulating effects.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.