Are you trying to llimit caffeine on your diet? Perhaps your sensitive too it, maybe you want to avoid it after 12pm or particularly before bed. Besides, caffeine can have detrimental effects on sleep and sleep quality. So naturally it leads to the question of whether chocolate milk contains this particular compound? Well, here is everything you are going to want to know.
So, does chocolate milk have caffeine? Chocolate milk does contain caffeine, albeit in marginal amounts. The average serving of chocolate milk (per cup/250ml) will only have 5mg of caffeine. However, chocolate milk does however contain other compounds, such as Theobromine, which can have stimulatory effects in sensitive individuals.
For the most part, chocolate milk is not considered to be a high-caffeine food.
Interestingly, the amount of caffeine actually mirrors many other chocolate.
For instance, the average bar of Hershey’s contains around 5-6mg of caffeine.
Which isn’t a lot.
As we shall now see in the next few sections.
Contents
Is There A Lot Of Caffeine In Chocolate Milk?
There is not a lot of caffeine in chocolate milk, though it is important to consider that there is some and it is not entirely caffeine-free. The average cup (250ml) of chocolate milk contains 5mg of caffeine with a quart (1000ml) containing ~20mg of caffeine.
Caffeine Content of Chocolate Milk
| Quantity | Caffeine Content |
| 100ml | 2mg |
| 250ml (1 Cup) | 5mg |
| 1 Quart (1,000ml) | 20mg |
Now there are a couple of things to consider here; the brand of chocolate milk, the type of chocolate used and caffeine dosing, in general.
Starting with the brand; not all brands of chocolate milk will contain exactly the same amount of caffeine.
That’s because different brands will have a different recipe, and will use different amounts of chocolate (which contains the caffeine). Then there is the chocolate strength depending on the type of chocolate used.
For instance, chocolate milk made from dark chocolate will contain more caffeine than chocolate milk made from milk chocolate.
So, the total caffeine content will range and the numbers referenced above are just an average.
Thus, the only way to truly know how much caffeine is in a particular chocolate milk will require checking product packaging, or contacting the manufacturer directly.
The second thing we need to consider here is the dose – what does 5mg or 20 mg even mean?
Well, different people will respond to different doses differently.
On top of that, we need to try to ascertain what this amount of caffeine equates to.
For instance, did you know that the average cup of coffee has 95 mg of caffeine? And that’s a relatively weak cup too.
I’ve seen some cups have around 200-250mg and up of caffeine per cup.
So when we considered chocolate milk in comparison to coffee, we can see that there is in fact, not a lot of caffeine.
Does Chocolate Milk Keep You Awake?
Chocolate milk may keep you awake depending on your sensitivity to caffeine and how much you have consumed.
That being said, the average person is unlikely to be kept awake by chocolate milk drinking prior to bed.
That is not to say it is preferable though. There are certainly other drinks that would be more sleep inducing, like a warm chamomile tea, for instance.
If you do particularly enjoy the creaminess of milk, then a warm cup of plain milk may just be the ticket.
At the same time, chocolate milk consumption timing should be considered – especially if sleep is a priority, an early night is being sought, or there any other existing sleep problems.
Is It OK To Drink Chocolate Milk Before Bed?
In most contexts, it should be okay to drink chocolate milk before bed. That being said, it is best consumed after exercise or earlier in the day, if possible.
Now, this will depend a lot on individuality.
It also depends on the amount consumed and the exact time.
What is ‘before bed’? Is it the moment before or the hours leading up to?
Generally, it is recommended that you do not drink chocolate milk just before bed.
Does Chocolate Milk Give You Energy?
Chocolate milk can give you energy, depending on when it is consumed and what it is made of.
There are a couple of benefits to consuming chocolate milk if you are looking for energy.
The sugars (both naturally occurring from the milk) and the additional sugar often added for taste and flavor, along with the vitamins/minerals and also the stimulatory effects.
We’ve already briefly touched upon caffeine, but chocolate milk (and chocolate in general) does also contain other stimulatory compounds.
Theobromine is one such example.
This alkaloid actually provides a longer-lasting, more subtle energy boost. And better still, you do not tend to have a peak and a crash when you consume it.
One thing to consider here is digestion and how you process milk, in general.
Some people find that chocolate milk can make them sluggish – especially if a lot is consumed in a short amount of time, its particularly cold, or if you just have a generally slower digestive system.
So ultimately, if you time it right, consume the right amount, chocolate milk can provide you with additional energy. But at the same time, it could go the other way!
Related Questions
Does chocolate milk have as much caffeine as coffee?
Chocolate milk does not have as much caffeine as coffee. The average serving of chocolate milk has around 10 times less caffeine as the average serving of coffee.
Related Guides:
- Does Chocolate Milk Have Milk In It?
- Does Chocolate Milk Have More Sugar Than Soda?
- Salt In Chocolate Milk • Everything You Need To Know •
Sources:
- How Long Does Caffeine Stay in Your System – Healthline
- Caffeine: How Long Do Its Effects Last – WebMD
- Chocolate Milk: Nutrition, Calories, Benefits, and Downsides – Healthline
- Theobromine And Caffeine Content Of Chocolate Products – Journal of Food Science
Hello, I’m Matthew, a candy expert and enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the candy industry. My passion for candy started at a very young age. Since then, I have worked in numerous, large candy stores, and have been fortunate enough to try out hundreds of brands of candies, different types and flavors. In addition to my work, I enjoy sharing my extensive knowledge with others, and decided to create Sugar Stand in order to do so. My mission is to make the world a sweeter place, one candy at a time.