Caffeine, a stimulant that most people should consume in only limited amounts, can affect your nervous system and give you more energy. Consuming too much caffeine can cause side effects such as difficulty sleeping, headaches, irritability, dizziness and fast or irregular heartbeat. Some medications contain caffeine, as do certain foods and beverages, including tea, coffee, cola nuts, soft drinks and chocolate.
Caffeine in Chocolate
Any food or beverage that contains chocolate also contains caffeine and shouldn't be consumed by people who cannot have caffeine. Bittersweet chocolate contains approximately 25 milligrams caffeine per ounce, chocolate milk between 3 and 6 milligrams per ounce and hot cocoa approximately 4 milligrams per cup. Although cocoa powder and dark chocolate have the most caffeine, milk chocolate and white chocolate also contain small amounts of caffeine.
Reasons for Avoiding Caffeine
If you are allergic to caffeine or need to have certain medical tests, you need to avoid all caffeine. Some people may be sensitive to caffeine without having a caffeine allergy, and for these people avoiding caffeine will limit their symptoms. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit caffeine to 300 milligrams per day, and people with certain medical conditions may need to limit or avoid caffeine altogether.
Alternatives
If you can't have chocolate because you need to avoid caffeine, there is an alternative. You can purchase candies, baked goods and beverages made with carob instead of chocolate. Products made with carob have a taste similar to those made with chocolate, but carob does not contain caffeine.
Considerations
If you are sensitive to caffeine but not actually allergic, you may be able to consume small amounts of some types of chocolate that do not have high levels. This depends on the severity of your reaction and on whether it's caused by any caffeine at all or only by large amounts. However, if your doctor has told you to avoid all caffeine, you cannot consume chocolate.
Member Comments