“I really ought/ought not to eat a bar of chocolate this evening to help my sleep” said no one, ever.
No, we quite realise that sleep quality isn’t the deciding force in our relationship with chocolate – but it doesn’t mean to say there isn’t a relationship between chocolate and our sleep. So, as the nation celebrates Chocolate Week 2019 this week, it gives us the opportunity to think about two of our favourite things – chocolate and sleep.
The truth is that the jury is out as to whether chocolate is helpful or unhelpful for our sleep. Case and point – see two articles that, even just from their headlines, seem to posit opposing views:
From the New York Times ‘The Claim: Chocolate Can Be Disruptive To Sleep’ by Anahad O’Connor https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13real.html and from the Express https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/984550/how-to-sleep-eat-chocolate ‘How To Sleep: Eat This Sweet Treat Before Bed To Ensure A Good Night’s Rest’ by Katrina Turrill.
Much as we’re united in our love of chocolate, it seems that finding converging ideas on how chocolate impacts our sleep is less easy.
Whichever way chocolate is the answer for you (in helping you be a happier person that falls asleep easily / in having too much caffeine to indulge late in the day) enjoy chocolate this Chocolate Week – when and where it’s right for you.