In fact, dark chocolate has actually been linked to a better, more restful night’s sleep. There is a better, darker, and more decadent way to enjoy your favorite treat. As for caffeine, the FDA states that a healthy adult should consume no more than 400mg a day. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, has a little less caffeine, but it’s also loaded with sugar in comparison to dark chocolate. When you’re choosing dark chocolate, look for bars that have a cocoa content of 70% or higher, and should be the first on the ingredient list.
It is pertinent to mention here that dark chocolate shouldn’t have opted on the percentage of cocoa it contains, rather the focus should be on the powerful antioxidant effect it would have. “Because caffeine is found in the cocoa solids, the more cocoa the chocolate contains, the more caffeine will be present,” registered dietitian Jenna Gorham, R.D., L.D., explains. Once harvested, cocoa beans are typically fermented and dried before being sent to factories for further production.
Excessive intake of caffeine and other stimulants are known to cause nightmares. But did you know that sugar can actually wreak havoc on your sleep patterns, and ultimately cause sleep disturbances and bizarre dreams? High-quality white chocolate often has extra cocoa butter added and less sugar. Studies have been carried out to find out whether small amounts of chocolate, eaten often, contain enough flavanols to have similar health benefits to cocoa.
When some people think of chocolate, their minds automatically drift to the chocolate Easter bunnies they ate as children or the decadent milk chocolate bars with fruits and nuts. We don’t think so. So, long story short, don’t eat dark chocolate thinking you’re being healthy. Now that we know it’s likely not the delicious morsels of dark chocolate giving you the occasional heart-pounding night of bad dreams, could it be something else you’re eating?
When buying chocolate take a closer look at what you’re actually getting. Let’s take a closer look at this research. Dark chocolate may have up to four times as many flavonoids as tea, but research shows that flavanol content is reduced during the manufacturing process. Chances are, you could have a nightmare disorder. Let’s have a look at what’s been said about some foods most often accused of causing bad dreams.
But what is it about these foods that people claim are causing them nightmares? So instead of using these foods as a way of losing weight they may end up sabotaging your efforts. Can dark chocolate cause weight gain? Dark chocolate can also cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to caffeine or any of the other chemicals that are in dark chocolate. Indulging in too much of anything can cause changes in your body that ultimately result in sleep disturbances.
However, if you are consistently having nightmares, it’s recommended that you see a sleep specialist, as it’s likely not related to changes in your diet at all. When they only looked at people with a diagnosis of hypertension or prehypertension, however, the reductions in blood pressure were even greater at 5.0/2.7 mmHg. Most people are not used to the intensity of 100% dark chocolate, and if you’ve had a bad experience eating low-quality, bitter, acidic dark chocolate, you may be reluctant to try again.
For a very high proportion of the words population, when one isnt feeling that great, a small piece of fine chocolate, or a mug of a chocolate drink, can offer a form of therapy unrivaled by even some of the most effective drugs known to man! Sounds great, right? But, could dark chocolate be the source of bad dreams? However, these milk chocolate treats are more than just chocolate… However, since it contains carbs, you may wonder whether it can fit into the very low carb, high fat ketogenic diet.
You can enjoy your favorite treat almost any time of the day, but again, in moderation. Again, we believe in moderation as the key to success with dark chocolate. For every 100 grams of dark chocolate (about two and a half regular-sized chocolate bars), you’ll find 43mg of caffeine. No brand of hot chocolate is free of added sugar, so the best option is to find the one with the lowest amount.
Now, we aren’t suggesting that you never eat sugar again, but let’s look at how you can reduce your intake and find alternatives that satisfy that sweet tooth. Some believe that the sugar and caffeine in chocolate could be what’s causing you to toss and turn. In one study, dairy came up as the most frequently blamed food - with 39-44% of participants pointing their finger at nighttime cheese snacks - for causing sleep disturbances.
What’s the one unhealthy food that you crave for most often? But, which one is better for you, and why? Is Dark Chocolate Better for You? Stick with portion control and dark chocolate can prove to be beneficial to your overall health, and your sleep. Also, high blood sugar or hyperglycemia can trigger migraine headaches. According to the American Heart Association, that’s one hundred percent of the daily recommended sugar intake for women in a single little treat.