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It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.

Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy


 

Ask Dr. Gourmet

Since I have a-fib, should I avoid chocolate since it contains caffeine?

I was told not to have caffeine because of my a-fib. Since dark chocolate is good for you and I love dark chocolate, do you think I can eat it even though it contains caffeine? If yes what should be the amount?

Dr. Gourmet Says...

chocolate candies made from milk, dark, and white chocolate

There is inconclusive data regarding whether caffeine has an effect on those with atrial fibrillation. It appears that it does not: Dr. Gourmet's Health and Nutrition Bite: Caffeine and Atrial Fibrillation

There have been case reports of people consuming excessive amounts of caffeine and ending up with atrial fibrillation. In the most recent report the patient did convert back to a regular rhythm. (Am J Ther 2010;17(5):e169-71). In another case a 19 year old woman "abusing" chocolate ended up in a-fib (but she was also using asthma medications).

No good research has been done to see whether those with atrial fibrillation are made worse with caffeine consumption. As such, there's no threshold of the amount of chocolate might be safe. In my clinic I might handle this on an individual basis with each patient, and that's what's appropriate for now. Dark chocolate has very little caffeine at about 20 milligrams (mg) per ounce. That's about 1/4 of what's in a cup of coffee. Milk chocolate is even lower at 6 mg per 1 ounce.

Check with your doctor on this. He or she might feel that in your case a little chocolate every now and then is OK.

Thanks for writing,

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet