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A recent study from researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso suggests that drinking caffeine at night could influence behavior in unexpected ways. The findings indicate that nighttime caffeine consumption may increase impulsivity, potentially leading to riskier actions.
The research, published in iScience, explored how caffeine affects behavioral control depending on the time of day. Scientists conducted experiments using fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), a species commonly used in research due to similarities in key biological processes shared with humans.
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To test the effects, the team provided fruit flies with caffeine under different conditions, including varying doses, daytime versus nighttime intake, and sleep deprivation. They then evaluated impulsivity by observing how the flies reacted to strong airflow—an unpleasant stimulus that typically causes them to stop moving.
Under normal conditions, the flies avoided movement when exposed to the airflow. However, those that consumed caffeine at night were less able to suppress their reactions, continuing to move despite the discomfort. This behavior was interpreted as increased impulsivity. In contrast, caffeine consumed during the day did not produce the same effect.
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The study also revealed notable differences between male and female flies. While both had similar caffeine levels, females showed a stronger increase in impulsive behavior. Researchers believe this difference is likely due to genetic or physiological factors rather than hormones, since fruit flies do not share the same hormonal systems as humans.
Given how widely caffeine is consumed—especially among people who work late or overnight—the findings may have broader implications. The researchers suggest that individuals such as shift workers, including those in healthcare or the military, could be more affected by caffeine intake at night. The results also point to the possibility that females may be more sensitive to these behavioral effects.
The study was led by Erick Saldes, Paul Sabandal, and Kyung-An Han, who emphasize the importance of understanding how timing influences caffeine’s impact on the brain and behavior.
