Who doesn't like chocolates? Who wouldn't rush to the refrigerator to get the last piece if given the opportunity, but caffeine; well almost everyone dreads it, but takes it in alongside chocolates.*
Chocolates always makes for a delicious treat and is most often associated with a mood or energy boost. Mostly derived from seeds found in the fruit of cacao trees, that grow close to the equator. These cocoa seeds are usually called cocoa beans.
Cocoa beans are extracted from their shells, go through the process of fermentation,left for some time to get dried, and then liquefied as part of the chocolate-making process. Chocolate on its own contains a little amount of caffeine, in addition to some other substances which help in elevating energy or mood in most persons.
Chocolate products which are produced for commercially would also contain some added ingredients like , vanilla, lecithin and sugar
The darker the chocolate, the higher the caffeine content
The moment cocoa beans is been liquefied, the liquid which results from it contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter, of which both liquids are used to make chocolate. Though the quantity differ based on the type of chocolate, caffeine is present in cocoa solids, but absent in cocoa butter.
It's quite easy to determine the quantity of caffeine present in chocolate by just observing how dark it is. The darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids it contains. This simply means that it increases the quantity of caffeine present per ounce. White chocolate has just cocoa butter but contains no cocoa solids, it has zero caffeine. The quantity of caffeine present in chocolates products varies, this happens especially if more caffeine is added to provide energy boost. An additional quantity of caffeine could be found in energy bars and some other products which also contain chocolate.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture:
Dark chocolate contains 12 milligrams of caffeine per ounce.
Milk chocolate contains 9 milligramsof caffeine per 1.55 ounces.
White chocolate contains zero caffeine.
- Theobromine and energy levels
Theobromine is another substance found alongside caffeine in cocoa solids. Theobromine is responsible for dark chocolate bitter taste. Theobromine and caffeine both contain natural occurring substances which could stimulate the central nervous system. This stimulation is what responsible for elevating such feelings of alertness and thuspositively affect your mood. Although cocoa solids contain more theobromine than caffeine. Theobromine might have anti-inflammatory properties and could also potentially bring about an inhibition of the growth of tumor. It can help to suppress coughsand is sometimes used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions.
- Any Negatives For Theobromine?
A veterinarian would be quite quick to tell you that chocolate is dangerous, most times might be even fatal when given to cats and dogs. Why theobromime isn't typically dangerous for humans is due to the fact that animals metabolize theobromine more slowly than humans do. The quantity of theobromine present in chocolate might positively affect one's mood, but in doses over two hundred and fifty milligrams (250mm) above might have quite the opposite effect.
Caffeine and theobromine are both stimulants. Persons who are very sensitive to caffeine might experience insomnia once they take in dark chocolate hot cocoa just before or close to bedtime.
It's okay to be among the 90 plus % of people who love chocolate, too much of it however wouldn't be a good idea right?