Those who have a sweet tooth know it well: that little piece of dark chocolate before we sleep can act like a small moment of wellbeing that becomes a habit to be enjoyed before bedtime. After being demonised for too long, chocolate is now being recognised as a healthy food, particularly dark chocolate, which is rich in properties and health benefits. To enhance some of these beneficial effects for the body, the ideal time to eat chocolate seems to be at night before going to sleep, because it promotes relaxation and restful sleep, especially if you suffer from disturbed sleep and never get enough good rest. It might be a good idea to adopt this habit and eat chocolate before sleep. But be careful, because in some cases you might get the opposite effect.
Benefits of dark chocolate in the evening
- Due to the presence of tryptophan, dark chocolate helps synthesise serotonin and melatonin, the hormones of happiness and relaxation, which are essential for increasing the sense of wellbeing and optimising the body’s circadian rhythm.
- Dark chocolate is rich in magnesium, a key mineral for promoting muscle and general body relaxation, promoting sleep and reducing anxiety and stress.
- Flavonoids found in chocolate also contribute to improved evening wellbeing. Among their various functions, we also find that they improve blood flow. By bringing more oxygenation to the brain, mental and physical relaxation is affected positively.
Can eating chocolate in the evening disturb sleep?
Although the relaxing benefits of eating chocolate in the evening are superior, it should be noted that for some people it may give the opposite (stimulating) effect. Containing small amounts of caffeine, dark chocolate eaten in the evening may disturb sleep and make it more difficult to fall asleep. This negative effect may be found in people who are particularly sensitive to stimulants, such as caffeine.
Could eating dark chocolate in the evening interfere with metabolism?
Dark chocolate with a percentage of 65-70% or more is widely tolerated even in low-calorie diets, if taken in balanced amounts. A small square in the evening does not represent excessive amounts of calories that may cause fear of a slowed metabolism. A small square of dark chocolate (10 grams) provides about 60 calories.
Is dark or milk chocolate better in the evening?
Dark chocolate is the variant usually recommended by nutritionists because it contains less sugar and is richer in antioxidants and magnesium. However, it also contains more caffeine than milk chocolate. If eating it in the evening does not have the excitatory effects (awake, alert or restless) which some people have, dark chocolate is preferable. On the other hand, if you are sensitive to caffeine, you can opt for a small square of milk chocolate.
