Fox Health: 'Napuccino' trend: Caffeine before a nap could be key to better sleep

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'Napuccino' trend: Caffeine before a nap could be key to better sleep

A "napuccino" is the method of drinking a caffeinated beverage before taking a nap to wake up extra-energized. Sleep expert Kelly Baron and nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein discussed its effectiveness....                        ...                        ...                            ...Caffeine and sleep may seem like polar opposites — but there may be a benefit to combining them.......The "napuccino" has become a popular method to optimize sleep and wake up with more energy by You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login before lying down for a nap.......In a recent episode of the podcast "The Diary of a CEO" with Steven Bartlett, sleep expert Dr. Cheri Mah in Redwood City, California, introduced the napuccino as a "useful tool if you're trying to have a temperate boost in alertness and performance."......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......A napuccino requires drinking a caffeinated beverage of choice before taking a 20- to 30-minute You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, according to Mah.......The caffeine will begin to kick in 15 minutes after consuming it......."If you're able to fall asleep within five to 10 minutes while the caffeine will start to come on board, then when you wake up after 20 to 30 minutes ... the caffeine will have kicked in," she said.......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......Research has shown that the energy from both the caffeine and the power nap is "more effective for alertness and performance improvement for a couple of hours," compared to only drinking caffeine or napping alone, Mah said.......Fox News Digital reached out to Mah for further comment.......Clinical psychologist Kelly Baron, PhD, director of the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login lab at the University of Utah, described the napuccino as a "really great and scientifically tested technique."......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......"Having some caffeine, plus a short nap, is better than either one of those alone," she told Fox News Digital......."By the time you get up from the nap (20 to 30 minutes), the caffeine is kicking in."......This method has been tested with certain activities, such as driving performance and shift work, Baron noted......."Short naps with or without caffeine are proven techniques to boost performance for those experiencing sleepiness," she said.......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......Getting the standard seven to You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login per night is ideal, the expert said, but that can be challenging for some people.......Los Angeles-based registered dietitian and nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein agreed that the napuccino can be a "great strategy to boost alertness," but also noted it's important to consider how people You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......"Drinking coffee with a lot of added sugar or high-calorie creamers can offset some of the potential health benefits," she said. ......"Consuming too much sugar can lead to energy spikes and crashes, which might counteract the energizing effect of the nap and caffeine."......Muhlstein suggested drinking black coffee, or with a splash of regular or plant-based milk, zero-calorie sweetener like Stevia, or monk fruit......."This way, you're reaping the benefits of the napuccino without the drawbacks of excess sugar or calories," she said.......Up to 400 milligrams of daily caffeine is deemed safe for most healthy adults, according to Mayo Clinic. ......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......Heavy caffeine use can cause side effects for some. Anyone with concerns should speak with a health care provider....

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