“Does hot chocolate help you sleep?” might probably be the question asked by many who are planning to have it before hitting the sack. If you have the same query, this post may help answer it.
In addition, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions related to hot chocolate, including:
- How does hot chocolate help us sleep?
- Is it healthy to drink hot chocolate before sleeping?
- Is there a healthier bedtime drink option besides hot chocolate?
A cup of hot chocolate helps ease stress and relaxes your mind, indirectly allowing you to feel sleepy. Besides, properties like tryptophan and magnesium in dark chocolate play a crucial role in sleep stimulation. However, drinking in moderation is recommended because of its caffeine content.
How Does Hot Chocolate Help Us Sleep?
Hot chocolate is undoubtedly a favourite drink for both young and older people. Even better, when you drink it on a cold evening before sleeping helps keep your body warm and de-stress.
But does this hot beverage help you to sleep? Before we answer, let’s learn a bit about hot chocolate. It’s only fair to know what you’re drinking or eating to avoid health implications.
Hot chocolate, popularly known as hot cocoa, is a drink made from melted chocolate. The common ingredients in this drink consist of:
- Milk
- Sugar
- Cocoa Powder
- Chocolate chip
While chocolate is the star ingredient in most recipes, it can also be infused with other flavours like vanilla.
Now, some might be wondering what’s the correlation between a chocolate drink and sleep. You’d be surprised to know that chocolate comprises various properties, some of which help in sleep stimulation.
One such is tryptophan, an amino acid molecule that helps produce serotonin. It’s a neurotransmitter which helps communication between the nervous system and brain cells. This chemical messenger is a mood stabiliser which plays a vital role in the sleep cycle and digestive system.
Furthermore, it contains an essential mineral called magnesium. It plays a crucial role in your body’s bone structure and improves your brain and heart condition. Besides, it helps in sleep stimulation allowing you to sleep peacefully.
These two properties in chocolate allow you to feel calm and ease your mind. And when you’re at peace and stress-free, sleep comes naturally. So, we can say that hot chocolate is a good sleep inducer.
However, note that chocolate contains caffeine which may affect your sleep. Therefore, we suggest you drink an hour before hitting the sack. It will be more effective as it gives sufficient time to subside the energy produced by this stimulant.
Is It Healthy To Drink Hot Chocolate Before Sleeping?
Now that you know a cup of hot chocolate might let you sleep, some may wonder if it’s healthy or not. The answer to this may vary, considering various factors.
Undoubtedly, chocolate has multiple health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels and an improved heart condition. It’s nutritious, and having it in moderation impacts your health positively.
However, if you look at hot chocolate, it’s a mixture of sugar, milk and melted chocolate. This can be either good or bad based on individual preferences and health conditions.
The content of sugar in this hot beverage might not be the best bedtime drink for those with diabetes. Considering this aspect, it might not be the healthiest drink for some people.
Furthermore, it contains milk, which is highly nutritious and offers various benefits to your health. But this drink wouldn’t be the best for some people who have dairy allergies.
So, if you look at these aspects, hot chocolate may not be the healthiest bedtime drink. Maybe you can have it alternatively or when you’re not feeling sleepy.
Is There a Healthier Bedtime Drink Option Beside Hot Chocolate?
Undeniably, hot chocolate is a nutritious drink that helps you relax after a long day. It’s a great drink to have before you hit the sack. However, drinking it every night may not be the best choice for your health.
The content of caffeine, sugar and milk might bear several health consequences for some individuals. You can have it once a week or switch to a healthier drink.
For instance, herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint tea are healthier and offer more health benefits. These tea types are suitable for de-stressing and are pretty therapeutic.
They are a healthier bedtime drink than hot chocolate. The relaxation and calming effect of these teas naturally induce sleep. Besides, you don’t have to brush your teeth after drinking peppermint tea.
In contrast, if you drink hot chocolate before sleeping, brushing your teeth is essential after drinking because of the sugar in it. Not following this may affect the health of your teeth or cases of bad breath.
Variants of herbal teas are available abundantly, providing different health benefits. Choose one that suits your taste and preferences. The preparation process of herbal tea is simple and easy; dip the tea bag in a cup of hot water, let it rest for some minutes, and you’re good to go. Some teas involve brewing, which is also a simple process.
Herbal tea might be the best choice if you’re looking for a healthier drinking option for bedtime. It is light but packed with nutrients that help boost the immune system, improve digestion, etc.
Conclusion
Warm drinks like hot chocolate delight, especially on a cold evening. This hot beverage keeps you warm and relaxes your mind, often leaving you sleepy.
A cup of hot chocolate might do the trick if you have trouble sleeping. But we advise you to have it in moderation as it contains caffeine. Additionally, avoid drinking every day as it may not be good for your health.
Herbal tea might be healthier than hot chocolate for bedtime drinks. It’s nutrient-dense, providing various benefits to your health besides being a natural sleep inducer.
Hopefully, this article was helpful and answered your question about hot chocolate and its impact on the sleep cycle.