Whether you're a strict dieter or follow a certain regimen every day of your life, let's face it, chocolate is one of life's greatest pleasures. Especially when consumed at dinner, after a tiring day between work and family commitments. However, knowing that chocolate has caffeine, does it affect the quality of your sleep?
There seems to be some truth to this point! It's not just coffee, black tea or energy drinks that can keep you awake long after you've laid your head on the pillow. There are also foods with caffeine, including chocolate.
"Most chocolates have caffeine, but the amount varies based on the percentage of cocoa, how it's processed, and other factors," says nutritionist Maddie Pasquariello.
"In milk chocolate, there are about 20 milligrams of caffeine per 100 grams," says Pasquariello. "In dark chocolate, the level can vary slightly more, ranging from 50 milligrams to 150 milligrams per 100 grams."
Which chocolate has the most caffeine?
In general, the more bitter the chocolate, the more caffeine it has. "Dark chocolate has at least three times the amount of caffeine compared to milk chocolate," she adds.
White chocolate, on the other hand, has no caffeine as it is made with cocoa butter instead of cocoa solids, which have caffeine as well as other beneficial ingredients including magnesium, iron and antioxidants. Milk chocolate is in the middle, while dark chocolate has more caffeine and white chocolate much less.
So, if you like chocolates, choose white ones if you don't want the caffeine to spoil the quality of your sleep.
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Source: Well+ Good
