Alcoholic nightcap 'doesn't aid sleep'

Jonathan Warren

Author: Jonathan Warren

28.03.2024

Sleep

skd190337sdcWhile bedtime whisky drinkers may believe that their alcoholic nightcap helps them fall asleep with greater ease, scientists have been forced to disagree - they believe it has the opposite effect, if anything. Researchers who conducted the study at Akita University in Japan discovered that drinking the likes of whisky before bedtime helps people fall into a deep sleep with greater ease during the first half of the night, though later in the night leads to shallow sleep. As part of the trial, volunteers were given different doses of pure alcohol at three-week intervals before sleep was tested. Disturbances were shown in a variety of ways, though the team predominantly focused of the heart rate of each subject. Too much drink before bed disturbs sleep and has a significant effect on the digestive system of the body, while leading to illness. Expert at the department of neuropsychiatry at Akita University Dr Yohei Sagawa said: "Although the first half of sleep after alcohol intake looks good, the result of the assessment shows that drinking leads to insomnia rather than good sleep."