In this short article, we will answer the question “Is it bad to eat chocolate before bed?”. We will also discuss the caffeine content of chocolate and discuss the types of food you should avoid if you want to have a good night’s sleep.
Is it bad to eat chocolate before bed?
Yes, it is bad to eat chocolate before bed. This is because the chocolate will impair your sleep.
Do you get tired after eating chocolate before bed?
Yes. Some individuals worry if chocolate can have a negative effect, such as keeping them up at night, despite the fact that it can comfort and arouse the taste receptors. Due to two reasons, this occurs:
- Caffeine
- theobromine
Let’s talk about them now:
Caffeine
As most people are aware, different types of chocolate contain different quantities of caffeine. For instance, a 450-gram bar of milk chocolate has 9 mg of caffeine, which is nearly three times as much as a cup of decaf coffee.
A bar of dark chocolate, however, has far more—roughly 30 milligrams. That is equivalent to a cup of quick tea and roughly 40 mg less than a cup of bulk tea. In other words, eating dark chocolate late at night can make you spend hours counting sheep.
Theobromine
Chocolate also contains other stimulants. One of these is theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats because of how slowly they can metabolize it.
Small levels of theobromine are present in chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, and it raises heart rate and induces sleeplessness. The National Sleep Foundation advises against ingesting chocolate before bedtime, along with coffee, tea, and soda.
Milk chocolates may also have the reverse effect because they are highly oily, loaded with sweets, and artificially preserved. They serve as stimulants that increase our alertness as soon as our body begins to process them. It is not advisable to eat them before bed.
As a result, it is not recommended to take them before bed. To avoid having an unexpected effect, it is important to pay great attention when eating, and it is best to avoid eating right before bed.
Which chocolate has the highest caffeine content?
The amount of caffeine in various types of chocolate varies. In actuality, white chocolate has a lot less caffeine than dark chocolate. The milk version, however, has more sugar, which can be problematic for people with diabetes or anyone trying to lose weight.
Dark chocolate, therefore, contains the highest amount of caffeine in its ingredients.
But it also contains antioxidants that are helpful for immunity and heart health, as well as being high in fibre and low in sugar. So it’s the treat in a healthier form.
Dark chocolate typically has 30 mg of caffeine per bar. Coffee has 95 milligrams in a cup.
Which is better if I insist on eating chocolate before bed despite knowing that it interferes with sleep?
a white chocolate bar. White chocolate has a very little quantity of caffeine and no theobromine. High levels of milk, sugar and cocoa butter are found in white chocolate.
Additionally, it lacks healthy components like the flavonoids found in other chocolates, particularly the bitter variety.
What else shouldn’t we eat at night to sleep well besides chocolate?
Examples of foods to avoid eating at night include:
- Coffee, mate tea, and cola-based soft beverages all contain caffeine.
- Thermogenic substances include pepper, ginger, and cinnamon
- mostly sweets and sugar
- Fats, such as those found in red meat, pizza, and pastries
- Fried foods like chips and potato chips
- Foods high in calories, such as bread, pasta, pies, and processed snacks
- hefty meals like lasagna and feijoada
- Having too much fluid can cause you to wake up frequently at night to get rid of it.
These foods can increase metabolism because they serve as stimulants or because they need more energy from the body to digest than other foods. Anyone who wishes to get a good night’s sleep must make their dinner selections in the evening.
Knowing what to eat before the night is important since some meals can make it difficult to sleep. In addition, what we eat at night might have further consequences on our bodies. Some meals can worsen sleep quality or even cause us to gain weight.
Conclusion:
In this short article, we answered the question “Is it bad to eat chocolate before bed?”. We have also discussed the caffeine content of chocolate and discuss the types of food you should avoid if you want to have a good night’s sleep.
