When considering our beverage of choice – be it coffee or hot chocolate – many of us ask ourselves the same question: ‘Which one is healthier?’. Unfortunately, the answer depends on several different factors; such as which chocolate or cocoa powder type to use and whether instant hot chocolate mixes contain oils and high levels of sugar for instance.

Caffeine levels also play a significant role in their respective health benefits; for instance, one cup of home-brewed filter coffee typically contains between 95 and 200 milligrams, whereas one serving of hot chocolate typically contains around 15 milligrams. Both beverages are calorically dense; however, hot chocolate tends to contain higher fat contents due to milk and cream added into its composition.

Choose lower-fat versions, such as low-fat hot chocolate or caffe latte with non-fat milk, to save yourself numerous kilojoules. However, the calorie count can differ greatly depending on ingredients and preparation method; for instance a Starbucks Classic Hot Chocolate made with low-fat milk topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup has 434 kilojoules while an equivalent Starbucks Tall 354ml cup of coffee only has 77 (both drinks are Tall).

Although research shows that both coffee and hot chocolate provide significant health benefits, cocoa may offer more antioxidants than coffee. Furthermore, one recent study demonstrated how cocoa consumption could help increase blood flow through arteries to potentially decrease blood pressure – though more research needs to be completed before reaching a definitive conclusion.

Another key distinction between coffee and hot chocolate lies in their levels of caffeine; while a typical cup of coffee may contain up to 200 milligrams, homemade hot chocolate made with quality cocoa powder contains only 15 milligrams per cup. This makes it a much safer option if you are sensitive to caffeine, or trying to reduce consumption to reduce withdrawal symptoms. However, it is important to keep in mind that too much chocolate can have detrimental health consequences, including an accumulation of fat in our livers and digestive tracts. Therefore, it is recommended that our consumption of cocoa be limited to 300 grams or less each week. Make the most nutritious hot chocolate possible by creating it at home using high quality chocolate that is low in fat and added sugar, or try rooibos tea which naturally lacks caffeine while providing more calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and fiber than most coffee varieties.