Cocoa beans and chocolate

Like coffee beans, cocoa beans have caffeine in them by nature. Thus, a certain amount of caffeine can be found in all types of chocolate and foods flavored with chocolate, but the amount varies depending on the product's cocoa content.

The amount of caffeine present in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of various chocolates is about as follows:

• 100% cocoa chocolate: 240 mg of caffeine — the equivalent of 2.5 cups of regular coffee
• Bittersweet chocolate (55% cocoa): 124 mg of caffeine
• Milk chocolate (33% cocoa): 45 mg of caffeine — around the amount of caffeine in a cup of black tea

Additionally, cocoa contains substances like flavonols and methylxanthines, and some research has looked into the possibility of it being a functional food. These substances, which include caffeine, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and could be beneficial for your health. For fans of chocolate, that is excellent news.