Does Consuming Alcohol Before Bed Help Me Sleep Better?

People with insomnia may look for all means to get to sleep faster and drinking alcohol before bed is commonly thought to be a sleeping aid.

While alcohol has sedative effects inducing relaxation and potentially making one fall asleep quicker, the consumption of alcohol–especially in excess–is also associated with sleep disruptions, particularly during the period of rapid eye movement (a stage of deep or restorative sleep). It leads to poorer sleep quality and duration, affects concentration and causes daytime sleepiness. In addition, alcohol consumption is also associated with a higher risk of sleep apnoea. The more alcohol one consumes before sleep, the more pronounced these effects are.

Hence, using alcohol as a sleeping aid may be a counterproductive strategy as it disrupts sleep quality and intensifies one’s need to consume more alcohol in order to trick themselves into thinking that they are having a better sleep quality when they are not. These sleep disruptions can lead to adverse health effects in the long term.

Article is contributed by Ms Natalie Yeo (Dietitian of the Singapore Heart Foundation) and Dr Mak Koon Hou (Board Member of the Singapore Heart Foundation, cardiologist in private practice).