With the culture of energy drinks at an all-time high, there have been several spin off products created to keep one awake and alert at night. One such product is Awake Chocolate. These chocolate bars have been designed to taste good as well as containing the same amount of caffeine that can be found in a regular cup of coffee.
What Is Awake Chocolate?
As stated previously, the bars from Awake Chocolate contain the same amount of caffeine that can be found in a cup of coffee or 250ml energy drink, making it a good alternative to for people who want an extra kick in energy levels and to increase mental stamina.
The bars are sold online through popular websites such as Amazon and Ebay, as well as through their extensive retail network available throughout the United states and Canada.
Awake Chocolate is sold in the form of bars as well as in chocolate bites that make them ideal for topping up one’s energy levels throughout the day. The bars are sold individually, or in packs of twelve. Awake Chocolate come in the flavors of milk and dark chocolate, as well as caramel.
A single bar of Awake Chocolate costs $3, while a pack of twelve costs $27 at the time of writing this article. The bite-sized option costs $7. There may be extra delivery charges depending on the website used that could further inflate the price.
What Ingredients Are Used In Awake Chocolate?
Each bar weighs 1.55 ounces and contains the following ingredients:
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 19%
- Sodium: 1%
- Carbohydrates: 10%
- Fiber: 4%
- Sugars 6%
- Vitamin A: 2%
- Calcium: 6%
- Iron: 8%
Awake Chocolate also lists the the following as non-medicinal ingredients:
- Sugar
- Cocoa butter
- Chocolate liquor
- Cocoa powder
- Skim milk
- Soy lecithin
- Artificial vanilla flavor
- Succinylated mono and diglycerides
About the Company
Awake Chocolate was founded by entrepreneurs Matt Schnarr, Dan Tzotzis and Adam Deremo. The group got together and decided to pioneer the idea of caffeinated chocolate bars. Using their collective knowledge about consumer packaged goods they decided to launch Awake Chocolate on August the 15th, 2012.
Caffeine Health Benefits
Not only do the bars from Awake Chocolate help keep one awake for prolonged sessions of work or play, the bars also provide some understated health benefits as the result of the high caffeine count that can be found in the chocolates.
While certainly not the most nutritious food option, caffeine is known to provide the following health benefits:
- Studies that were conducted in Japan have shown that caffeine increases memory and consolidation.
- When combined with carbohydrates, caffeine works to replenish muscle glycogen, which can speed up recovery after exercise.
- Caffeine is known to detox the liver and cleanse the colon.
- Caffeine is often used to keep a driver alert during sleepless periods.
- Hair growth can be stimulated through the use of caffeine.
- Post-workout muscle pain can be reduced with the use caffeine by as much as 48%
- Caffeine can prevent the development of Parkinson’s disease.
- The symptoms of Alzheimer's can be treated with caffeine.
- Users of caffeine often report a boost in their stamina during exercise.
- Caffeine can help ward off the condition of eyelid spasms.
- Caffeine-based products such as Awake Chocolate are known to protect against Cataracts.
- Caffeine works to prevent skin cancer.
- The risks of suicide can be averted by people that consume caffeine.
- Those with non-alcohol related fatty liver disease are known to benefit from caffeine.
- Caffeine is known to reduce liver fibrosis risk.
- Men who consume between 250 and 375 milligrams of caffeine per day have a lower risk of developing erectile dysfunctions.
Health Benefits of Chocolate
There are are also some unstated benefits for people that consume chocolate in moderate quantities. This doesn’t mean that Awake Chocolate is a healthy choice to eat every day, or as a replacement for a meal. But there are some benefits to consuming chocolate that are often overlooked.
- A healthier heart: There have been numerous studies that indicate that chocolate has benefits to the cardiovascular system. In a 9-year study of more than 30,000 people, those who ate two servings of chocolate per week reduced their risk of heart attacks by as much as a third. Another study found that a single square of chocolate lowered blood pressure and reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke by 39 percent.
- Weight loss: Researchers from the University of Copenhagen discovered that chocolate can be used to lessen the cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods. When used in small portions, it can be used by dieters to achieve their optimal health goals.
- Happier children: Pregnant women who consumed chocolate on a daily basis reported that they were able to handle stress better than the mothers-to-be that did not eat chocolate. A Finnish study also showed that their babies appeared to be happier.
- Diabetes prevention: In a study conducted in Italy, participants who consumed one candy bar worth of chocolate saw their insulin resistance drop by half after 15 days.
- Reduced Stress: Patients with anxiety were studied after they consumed an ounce of dark chocolate every day for two weeks. The anxious patients reported that their stress hormones were significantly reduced.
- Higher Intelligence: Researchers have found that drinking cocoa has the effect of increasing blood flow to key sections of the brain for two to three hours. This increased blood flow could lead to an increase in performance as well as alertness.
The Bottom Line – Is Awake Chocolate Recommended?
Awake Chocolates has pioneered a new product line of caffeinated candy. While the main purposes of the product is to taste good, as well as keeping one energized, the indirect health benefits from the ingredients are something that should not be overlooked.
Awake chocolates provides customers a healthier alternative to energy drinks as well as paving the way for a promising new product line of caffeinated sweets and chocolate bars. Time will tell if this will be an emerging trend, or if Awake chocolates will simply be a passing fad.
