Dark Chocolate Caffeine Content Too Low to Matter?

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Concerned about your dark chocolate caffeine intake?

Worried it contains an unhealthy amount of the stimulant? Stop worrying, there isn't much.

But there is some.

If you have certain health problems, are pregnant, or take medications you may have to adjust your dark chocolate consumption.

Even worse, you might have to quit eating it. Consult with your doctor.

Dark Chocolate Caffeine Content

One ounce of dark chocolate contains from 5 to 35 mg. That's not much compared to the amount in an 8 ounce cup of...

• brewed tea (20-90 mg)
• iced tea (9-50 mg)
• or
• brewed coffee (65-192 mg)
• instant coffee (60-85 mg)

But it still counts. Especially if you suffer from medical conditions like...

• restless leg syndrome
• fibrocystic breast disease
• insomnia
• bed wetting
• Meniere's disease
• hiatal hernia

or digestive problems that may be aggravated by it. Your doctor may advise that you stop eating it, at least temporarily, to see if your condition improves.

Otherwise, you should be able to squeeze in some dark chocolate (may need to cut back on something else) and not exceed 300 mg of caffeine per day. That level is considered safe for most people.

Unfortunately, there's no caffeine free chocolate available ( as far as I know), though some interest has been shown by consumers.

You could eat milk chocolate, an ounce contains only 1-15 mg.

Caffeine and Pregnancy

Want to get pregnant? You may have to cut back on your bittersweet chocolate. Large amounts of the stimulant can decrease a woman's fertility.

All ready in your first trimester? Your doctor may ask you to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Why would one woman ask another woman to skip the dark chocolate? Caffeine.

She might also suggest less than 300 mg. per day during your second and third trimesters.

Why? Excessive consumption of caffeine may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight or still birth.

You may have to go easy on the dark stuff but think of the rewards. One less thing to worry about while pregnant and ammunition for a future guilt trip.

Fast-forward a dozen or so years...imagine your precious child is giving you grief about something.

You'll be able to lay the, I even gave up dark chocolate to give birth to you, guilt trip on her.

Heck, what's a few hours (days) of agonizing labor compared to that sacrifice. She'll never be able to repay you.

Dark Chocolate Caffeine Drug Interactions

Do you take medications regularly? To prevent serious drug interactions you may need to avoid excessive consumption of dark chocolate.

Caffeine's effects can be magnified by some medications.

Consume too much while taking MAO inhibitors and you risk a serious increase in blood pressure or other problems.

Be sure to read those pages of instructions and warnings that come with your prescriptions. Yeah, I know they can be kind of scary, but necessary.




Protect your health, take into account dark chocolate's caffeine contribution. Avoid it if you must. Enjoy it in moderation if you can.

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