I’ve gotten to write about some of the most fascinating topics in cards for readers of BBO Prime since the column’s start. (And hopefully, there are many more to write about for the future!)

We’ve touched on the topics of doping, artificial intelligence, historical bridge, little-known bridge facts and even the links between bridge and a player’s health. We’ve talked about James Bond and bridge, Peanuts and bridge. We’ve even discussed caffeine and bridge.

But I’ve got one more topic, and I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before now: caffeine, health, bridge and sleep.

Caffeine isn’t just for staying awake or alert.

The number one fact that most people can name about caffeine and sleep is the fact that consuming the first can delay the onset of the second. When you drink coffee, energy drinks, sodas or anything else that contains caffeine, it increases blood flow, heart rate and general alertness for a while after. That’s the whole point.

People take caffeine to wake up, sometimes to get a buzz, and sometimes to play better bridge. 

But that’s not all it can do.

Other than the obvious health benefits of caffeine (such as increased circulation when the body might need it), caffeine is also a possible treatment option for other issues.

Caffeine before bed – for your health!

Caffeine can be good for you, when consumed in the correct amounts and under the right conditions. 

It can improve blood circulation, and it can be a recommended treatment for the naturally increased production of cerebrospinal-fluid (or CSF) in the case of a spinal leak, a common consequence of serious accidents.

When I was a younger child, caffeine was recommended as an addition to my nighttime routine. 

A small amount of coffee before bed, every night.

While it sounds contradictory and like something a great deal of guides on healthcare would tell people to avoid doing, there was good reason for it.

Caffeine can act as a counter-measure for snoring – and additionally, for sleep apnea. (The first can sometimes be a sign of the second, and the second can be serious.) 

Briefly, sleep apnea involves interruptions in breathing patterns during sleep; it can happen to kids and adults for a variety of different reasons – and yes, snoring can be a symptom.

Diagnosed with sleep apnea as a child (and a reported snorer during adulthood), I’ve continued the routine of daily caffeine for years.

What should bridge players be learning from this? It has nothing to do with bridge technique for the most part (and it might not affect the way you play while you’re at the table), but it can have a lot to do with longevity and health.

Do you snore, or jolt awake feeling like you’ve skipped a breath in your sleep every now and then? (Well, you might. That could be sleep apnea, and that might be the danger.) Or, do you just notice that caffeine seems to make you feel slightly better than the average person? 

Speak to your doctor about caffeine, health, bridge and sleep.