So, can espresso keep you awake? Espresso does contain caffeine and is a stimulant that can keep you awake. Caffeine is a natural substance found in coffee beans. It’s a naturally occurring psychoactive drug that affects the nervous system. It acts as a mild diuretic and stimulant, which means it increases energy levels.
Espresso can keep you awake when you’re tired, but it also comes with some side effects. This article helps you understand caffeine in espresso. Keep reading to make better decisions when drinking coffee.
Table of Contents
- How Caffeine Affects Fatigue
- Does Espresso Keep You Awake?
- Does Espresso Give You Energy?
- How Many Shots Of Espresso Will Wake You Up?
- Do More Shots Of Espresso Wake You Up?
- What Makes Espresso Different From Regular Coffee
- Need An Energy Boost? This Trick Will Keep You Awake
- The Bottom Line
- What To Do Next
How Caffeine Affects Fatigue
In our brains, there is a molecule, adenosine, which causes us to start feeling tired. This molecule builds up throughout the day, binding to receptors in our brain.
Caffeine is similar in structure to adenosine. So it binds to the same receptors in the brain. Receptors “occupied” by caffeine can’t be taken up by the sleep-inducing adenosine. As a result, we stay awake. [1]
Does Espresso Keep You Awake?
Espresso contains more caffeine per ounce compared to regular coffee. But it comes in lower volume and thus it contains less caffeine per serving. If you wish an extra energy boost go for a 3 shot of espresso.
The amount of caffeine in espresso also differs per bean. If you want more caffeine in your espresso, choose a robusta bean. Prefer an espresso with less caffeine? Then go for an Arabica. Arabica consists of almost 75% of the total espresso market.
So, espresso will give you more caffeine if you drink it at a similar volume as filtered coffee. This is because it contains more caffeine per ounce of liquid coffee. Espresso at greater volumes like a 3 shot will give you more caffeine and keep you awake for longer. [2]
Does Espresso Give You Energy?
Let’s face it, many people reach for espresso when they are going through a dip at work. It’s ideal for quickly boosting your concentration at a time when productivity ebbing.
Espresso will give you a good boost to your energy levels. This can help you focus and concentrate on your daily responsibilities. Caffeine kick starts dopamine in the brain, enhancing your mental activity and concentration.
How Many Shots Of Espresso Will Wake You Up?
If you’re looking for an energy boost, you may want to head to the nearest coffee shop and grab a double shot of espresso. A double shot of espresso has about 150 mg of caffeine.
Most people need 100-200 mg of caffeine to stay alert. But that’s not all. There are several factors affecting how caffeinated you feel after drinking espresso.
One of these factors is that it takes 40 to 60 minutes for caffeine to reach its peak effects. Did you drink a double shot of espresso and don’t feel energized for about an hour? It’s not because the caffeine isn’t working. It just hasn’t reached its peak in your system yet!
Another factor is that the effects of caffeine wear off about 1.5 hours after consuming it. Are you trying to stay on top of your work or get through a long meeting without falling asleep? Then you need many shots throughout your day. [3]
Do More Shots Of Espresso Wake You Up?
The best way to increase your energy is to get adequate rest and not drink too much caffeine. Some people may think that an extra espresso or two will help them wake up. But this is actually a misconception. Consuming high amounts of caffeine can have negative effects on your body.
Experts recommend consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. This is about three cups of espresso. Have you had a few double espressos, but you still feel tired? Then you should probably just take a break rather than trying to be more caffeinated.
Excess amounts of caffeine can have side effects. You may experience nervousness, an upset stomach, insomnia, headaches, and a fast heartbeat. So, don’t overdo it with caffeine consumption to stay alert. [4]
What Makes Espresso Different From Regular Coffee
Consider all of the numerous ways you make coffee. There’s French press coffee, pour-over coffee, stovetop percolator coffee, and a variety of other options. As a result, while all espresso-based drinks are coffee, not all coffee beverages are espresso.
Espresso is not the same as a regular coffee bean. Beans destined for espresso go through a particular roasting process. When it comes down to it, the way espresso is made is what truly distinguishes it. Other techniques of brewing necessitate patience. Because they rely on the hot water slowly trickling through the ground. This implies you’ll have to wait a while for a hot cup of coffee.
Espresso machines work by applying pressure to finely ground coffee and forcing nearly boiling water through it. This method produces a coffee shot that is nuanced, aromatic, and caffeine-rich. The time it takes to extract the data is less than thirty seconds.
You don’t need a costly machine, of course. Automatic espresso machines simply make the process of making espresso more efficient and precise. You have more control over the extraction with semi-automatic or manual devices. However, this implies more work for you! [5]
Need An Energy Boost? This Tip Will Keep You Awake
Forget a cup of coffee or a power nap, the coffee nap is the most efficient way to get you through your fatigue. First, a cup of coffee, immediately followed by a 20-minute nap.
According to science, this will get you rid of your morning or afternoon dip in no time.
It sounds ridiculously paradoxical to take a nap immediately after a cup of coffee. But this trick is scientifically proven.
When you drink coffee, it takes another 20 minutes for the caffeine to take effect. If you close your eyes for a moment during those 20 minutes, you will get a double energy boost afterward.
The Bottom Line
Caffeine is one of the most widely used drugs and is what makes coffee so appealing. With the vast majority of adults in America consuming it on a regular basis, it’s not a surprise.
The amount found in an espresso shot won’t necessarily keep you awake all day. But it can provide the necessary boost to get you going when you first wake up. Or it can offset the post-lunch slump in productivity if that’s something you tend to suffer from.
What To Do Next
Will espresso wake you up? You have the answer and now it’s time for you to brew a shot of espresso to get your caffeine fix. If you’re on the market for an espresso maker, don’t forget to check our buyers’ guides.
