Lifestyle

Caffeine exit: A Kazakh mogul’s new secret to high-stakes productivity

Why a Kazakh millionaire Rakhimbayev is ditching caffeine
Why a Kazakh millionaire Rakhimbayev is ditching caffeine / Photo: facebook.com/rakhimbaev, photo editor: Adelina Mamedova

Aidyn Rakhimbayev, head of BI Group, one of Kazakhstan’s largest real estate developers, said he has scaled back most coffee consumption after experimenting with how caffeine affects his sleep.

Personal experiment

In a post on Instagram, Rakhimbayev shared that he began evaluating drinks not by taste but by how long caffeine remains in the body.

He noted that beverages such as cappuccinos and double espressos can stay in the system for up to 24 hours, contributing to difficulty falling asleep and creating what he described as a cycle of dependence on caffeine.

He added that black tea also contains a notable amount of caffeine and may not be a better alternative.

Shift to Americano

Rakhimbayev said he has switched primarily to Americanos, which he estimates affect the body for about 12 hours. He now limits consumption to before 9 a.m. so that caffeine is cleared by evening.

He also cited studies from Harvard University and Columbia University suggesting that seven to eight hours of sleep can improve memory, attention and decision-making.

The construction mogul reportedly shared a summary of his findings with colleagues in BI Group, describing it as a small step toward improving overall health and quality of life.

Public reaction

The post prompted discussion online, with some users agreeing with his observations and others noting that caffeine’s effects can vary widely from person to person.