Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Everytime I eat dark chocolate I get this crazy sustained all-day energy (all the way up until bed) that feels great. Usually if I eat more than just a few carbs I get sleepy, but not if I've had dark chocolate. I eat it very rarely.

So what can this tell me about myself and how I can maybe get this energy in a more paleo way? Is it the caffeine? I've never had effects like this from the occasional green tea and the very rare cup of Coffee. I've read it's a good source of manganese but I eat a handful of nuts every day at lunch, so I wouldn't think I was deficient.

flag	asked Dec 18 at 13:24 Kyle 1,639●3●15

To add details: I will eat an entire standard size bar, in the morning, once every few months. – Kyle Dec 18 at 13:27

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Yes, it's most likely the caffeine. That's what caffeine does to you when you're not addicted to it and drinking it daily. I drink coffee once in a blue moon and when I do, it's a small glass of it because I have no tolerance to caffeine. – Roth Dec 18 at 13:50

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Also caffeine is fat-soluble, so the fat in the chocolate might increase the bioavailability of the caffeine in the chocolate. When you don't get caffeine regularly, a small amount of it will give you sustained "clean" non-jittery energy. – Roth Dec 18 at 14:51

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Maybe it's joy. – Scratch Dec 18 at 18:48

Oh man, you were not kidding about fat increasing the bio-availability of caffeine. I experimented with half a chocolate bar some hours ago for a little energy boost, had it with a bunch of bacon. I cannot sit still or focus on anything now. This is terrible. Or maybe it is the jittery caffeine affect instead of the clean affect since I've had it twice in one week. – Kyle Dec 20 at 2:03

julyan · Answer 1 · 2012-12-18 19:49:31Z UTC

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The combination of theobromine and caffeine (and fat)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15549276

I drink hot cocoa with coconut milk occasionally and had a similar effect a few times. I feel like the effect is stronger with the fat. And dose-dependent - lots of cocoa powder and lots of coconut milk do the trick ;).

answered Dec 18 at 19:49

julyan
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	Cool, I had never heard of theobromine before. Does this make dark chocolate potentially better than coffee?? – Kyle Dec 18 at 22:59
	Hmm I personally feel like the energy boost from that drink is cleaner and more sustained than from coffee. No jittery/diarrhea. Worst I've had were some minor headaches, but that could be due the coconut milk. I add some coffee too because I like the taste :). Could also add cinnamon. I even added cayenne pepper once, was quite good actually :P – julyan Dec 19 at 9:19

Rob · Answer 2 · 2012-12-18 15:37:20Z UTC

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I like a tablespoon of http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Chocolate-Organic-16-Ounce/dp/B001E5E0Y2 in my whey shakes. I had to work up to a tablespoon though, got a bit of diarrhea the first time.

answered Dec 18 at 15:37

Rob
2,727●3●7

Tasty? I'm gonna try some of this out. I like the coconut milk idea. – Kyle Dec 18 at 23:01

Pecan · Answer 3 · 2012-12-18 16:05:36Z UTC

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Were you low on fats before? Maybe you had increased satiety which made you feel more energetic.

answered Dec 18 at 16:05

Pecan
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I don't think so, I mostly eat slow cooker meals with fatty meat, and tend to add coconut oil to those – Kyle Dec 18 at 23:02

jake · Answer 4 · 2012-12-18 16:29:28Z UTC

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caffeine, sugar & fat!

answered Dec 18 at 16:29

jake
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paleo12 · Answer 5 · 2012-12-18 21:29:39Z UTC

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Theobromine....

answered Dec 18 at 21:29

paleo12
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PilatesGatekeeper · Answer 6 · 2012-12-19 04:29:13Z UTC

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It has caffine in it.

answered Dec 19 at 4:29

PilatesGatekeeper
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EB · Answer 7 · 2012-12-19 21:09:10Z UTC

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Caffeine, fat? When I eat a full bar of 85%, my heart beats really fast and I get really fidgety :P

answered Dec 19 at 21:09

EB
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What in dark chocolate is giving me energy?

7 Answers