Alcohol, Chocolate, and Caffeine
Alcohol consumption increases the heart rate. If you drink too much alcohol at a function, you might wake up with a violently racing heart in the morning. This is because of the alcohol. A recent study [7] has linked both excessive and long-term consumption to several types of cardiac arrhythmia, especially sinus tachycardia.
In a study as early as 1978 [8], excessive alcohol consumption was found to cause a potentially dangerous kind of heart palpitation in people who already had atrial fibrillation. This phenomenon was called holiday heart syndrome. In 2012, researchers at University of California San Francisco showed that alcohol consumption wasn’t just an aggravator, but also a causal factor [9] for atrial fibrillation.
Caffeine triggers heart palpitations [10] by causing the brain to release adrenaline. This adrenaline makes the heart beat faster. Taking a lot of caffeinated drinks within a short period when stressed or fatigued can induce heart palpitations. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others.
Taking a lot of chocolates has also been linked [11] to heart palpitations. They contain the same stimulants as caffeine that trigger heart palpitations and irregular heart rhythm.