Does Milk Chocolate Have Caffeine? Here's What You Should Know

It's a common misconception that sugar makes you hyper. While it is energy-dense, the idea of kids going nuts after scarfing down a chocolate bar is mostly just fiction. However, milk chocolate does contain caffeine, which is a stimulant that increases brain activity and is commonly used to provide energy and help you wake up. It doesn't cause hyperactivity, either, but it can give you the jitters if you consume too much. Here's what you should know about caffeine and chocolate.

The cocoa beans used to make chocolate naturally contain caffeine. Specifically, it's found in cocoa solids, which are separated from cocoa butter as part of the chocolate making process. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of solids and butter, so they have different amounts of caffeine. White chocolate, which contains no cocoa solids at all, has no caffeine. Milk chocolate contains about 8.8 milligrams for every 1.55 ounces, and dark chocolate, which has the most cocoa solids, has 12 milligrams per ounce. Retailers are not required to disclose natural caffeine in their products, only added caffeine, so it's not usually on a chocolate bar's nutrition label.

Compared to other, more widely known caffeinated products, milk chocolate isn't that high up on the spectrum. On average, an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 96 milligrams of caffeine, which comes out to 12 milligrams per ounce. Black tea has 48 milligrams in 8 ounces, while sodas can vary wildly between 12 and 55 milligrams. As long as you practice moderation, that chocolate bar you picked up from Aldi won't make much of a difference.

It is possible to intake too much caffeine and experience negative effects. According to the FDA, most healthy people can safely intake about 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. Pregnant women, however, are recommended to only intake 200 milligrams. Symptoms of excessive caffeine include headaches, confusion, anxiety, upset stomach, or increased heart rate. Even if you typically indulge in the best chocolate brands for quality ingredients, be mindful of how much chocolate you eat combined with other sources, especially if you're sensitive to caffeine or trying to quit.