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Can You Drink Cacao Before Bed?

CacaobeforeBED

Who doesn’t like a cup of warm cocoa milk before bed?

A warm mug of yummy cocoa milk made with our hot chocolate mix while snuggling in the blanket is a long-time night ritual at our home. The kids remind us every evening to add sprinkles, marshmallows, nuts, or whipped cream to their mug!

But the daily consumption made me wonder, “Is drinking cacao before bed healthy?”

Cacao is absolutely safe for drinking at night. In fact, it helps promote sleep and reduces stress.

However, drinking cacao at night might not be the best idea for everyone. Let’s tell you why cacao could be good or not-so-good before bedtime.

Can You Drink Cacao Before Bed? You can drink cacao before bed as it contains sleep-promoting and relaxing compounds. However, people with stimulant sensitivity must avoid it at night. 1

Why Should You Drink Cacao Before Bed?

Pure cacao is nutrient-rich and alleviates inflammation to help you enjoy a relaxed sleep. Its components calm the brain and body and improve sleep. Here’s everything that makes cacao a suitable bedtime drink:

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals associated with sleep regulation, and cacao is said to be the highest magnesium-containing food on the planet. Drinking cacao before bed gives you an instant magnesium boost, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing full-night sleep.

Theobromine

Theobromine is a natural stimulant (similar to caffeine) found in cocoa that gives a gentle boost. However, cacao contains very small amounts of theobromine, commonly between 1% and 3%. Thus the stimulant activity is not prominent unless you are sensitive to it.

Serotonin

If you suddenly feel happy and relaxed after drinking hot cocoa, that could be because of a serotonin boost. Furthermore, the serotonin is converted into the sleep hormone melatonin, boosting sleep. Research also shows that consuming cocoa can improve stress-induced sleep disorders like circadian sleep disorders and insomnia.

Anandamide and Phenylethylamine (PEA)

Cacao also contains anandamide, known as the “bliss molecule,” and Phenylethylamine (PEA), the “love molecule.” These compounds boost happiness and make you feel relaxed leading to a comfortable sleep.

Flavonols

Pure cacao contains flavonol, which gives you a mild stimulant boost and makes you sleepy. It reduces inflammation and facilitates blood vessel dilation. Thus, drinking cacao before bed makes you feel sleepy.

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Who Should Not Drink Cacao Before Bed?

Cacao is a natural stimulant that contains theobromine and low amounts of caffeine. It helps relax the mind and body to promote sleep. However, it is not suitable for people with stimulant sensitivity as their bodies might act differently to cacao components. So, if you’re sensitive to stimulants, it is better to take cacao-based products in the morning.

What to Remember When Drinking Cacao Before Bed?

While cacao is an excellent sleep stimulant and helps you relax, it’s important to use pure cacao only. Dutch-processed cocoa is treated with alkali, which destroys flavonols (that improve sleep function). So, if you want to drink hot cocoa before bed, ensure you’re not using processed powders. The Dutch-processed variety is better in the morning for a chocolaty start to the day.

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