Can chocolate really benefit my health?
These are just a few of the ways research has shown that dark chocolate can benefit you: Increases heart health: The antioxidants in dark chocolate have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of clotting and increase blood circulation to the heart, thus lowering the risks of stroke, coronary heart disease and death from heart disease.
Does chocolate really provide health benefits?
Research
- Evidence of Benefits. Some studies have shown that chocolate consumption is linked to factors that we already know can be beneficial for heart health, like lower blood pressure.
- No Evidence of Benefits. ...
- Mixed Findings. ...
- Making Sense of the Research. ...
Which type of chocolate is best for your health?
Benefits
- Dark chocolate is good for heart health. ...
- Eating dark chocolate could reduce levels of inflammation, particularly in women. ...
- Dark chocolate, despite its sugar content, does not increase cholesterol levels. ...
- For greater health benefits, go for a dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. ...
What are the good and bad effects of chocolate?
- Caffeine and related chemicals are found in cocoa. ...
- Intestinal discomfort, constipation gas, stomach rumbling, nausea and allergic skin reactions can also be caused by caffeine.
- The additional sugar could send you to your dentist with cavities and tooth decay more often.
- Lower bone density could be heightened by chocolate.
Is it OK to eat chocolate every day?
How much chocolate can I eat a day? Experts say the recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories.
What are 10 benefits of eating chocolate?
10 Great Benefits of Dark ChocolateIt Has Antioxidant Properties. ... Dark Chocolate Can Boost Your Focus. ... It Protects Your Skin from Dehydration. ... It Supports the Functions of Your Heart. ... Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure. ... Cocoa Is Rich in Good Nutrients. ... It Boosts Your Energy Levels. ... Chocolate Is Important for Pregnant Women.More items...•
Is chocolate healthy or unhealthy?
Also, chocolate is high in sugar and saturated fat. It is a high-energy (high calorie) food, and too much can result in excess weight, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Healthier sources of polyphenols include beans, pulses, fruit and vegetables.
Which chocolate is the healthiest?
Dark chocolate is best for you because it's the least processed chocolate, which means it contains the highest percentage of flavonoid-filled cocoa bean (cocoa).
What does chocolate do to your brain?
Several studies demonstrated evidence of improved brain blood flow, oxygen levels, or nerve function as measured by imaging tests or tests of electrical activity in the brain after the consumption of cocoa drinks.
Is eating chocolate good for brain?
Dark chocolate may also improve the function of your brain. Studies show that eating high flavanol cocoa can improve blood flow to the brain in young adults. This may explain why eating cocoa daily appears to improve attention, verbal learning, and memory ( 17 ).
Is chocolate good for liver?
Dark chocolate contains potent anti-oxidants which reduce the post-prandial (after-meal) blood pressure in the liver (or portal hypertension) associated with damaged liver blood vessels (endothelial dysfunction).
How much chocolate should you eat a day?
The recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g, experts say. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.
When should you not eat chocolate?
Here's a tip that will help: don't eat chocolate at least three hours before bedtime. This will ensure that there's enough time to digest your food before you sleep. We already know eating a large meal before bedtime can heavily impact your sleep.
What is the unhealthiest type of chocolate?
White chocolate is said to be the unhealthiest of the three variants. On average, it has the most calories and also contains the most sugar. Milk chocolate has a similar number of calories but it contains a little less sugar. In comparison, dark chocolate is the healthiest choice compared to the other variants.
Is Kit Kat healthy?
Short answer. Kit Kat is a very popular chocolate covered wafer candy that is high in fat, calories and carbohydrates in the form of sugar. Health challenges can occur with regular long-term ingestion. However, eating a Kit Kat once in a while will most likely not cause any major health issues.
Is chocolate good for your heart?
Most dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, particularly a subtype called flavanols that is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Some studies suggest chocolate or cocoa consumption is associated with a lower risk of insulin resistance and high blood pressure in adults.
What does eating chocolate before bed do?
Milk contains tryptophan, which helps your body produce serotonin and melatonin — the sleepy hormones (Healthline). Chocolate also contains a few vitamins and minerals that can help regulate our sleep, such as calcium, magnesium, and theobromine.
Is eating chocolate good for skin?
Packed full of antioxidants, chocolate is increasingly gaining a place among the circle of healthful foods. Some studies show that chocolate may protect the skin from damaging sunlight.
How much chocolate per day is healthy?
The daily allowance for adult men and women without health problems is 30-50 grams of dark chocolate every day. With high physical exertion, an increase in the norm by 1.5 times is allowed. Doctors recommend eating milk and white chocolate - no more than 20 grams per day.
Is chocolate good for females?
“Chocolate releases calming endorphins that reduce anxiety. Plus, it's high in magnesium,” which lifts moods and reduces water retention.
How many times a week can you eat dark chocolate?
Chocolate is high in calories, so you need to enjoy it in moderation. You can have about 1 ounce of dark chocolate no more than three times a week. Bars of chocolate are difficult to measure because the sizing is so variable, but to help with portions, look at the packaging to see how many ounces are in that bar.
What percentage of chocolate is milk?
Dark chocolate has anywhere from 50 to 90 percent cocoa solids, while milk chocolate is typically 10 to 30 percent. White chocolate is pure cocoa butter and doesn't offer you any health benefits. There's a lot going on in chocolate.
What are the three types of cacao beans?
There are three main varieties of cacao bean: Criollo from Latin America, Forastero from Africa, and Trinitario from the Caribbean.
What are cacao nibs?
Cacao nibs are cocoa beans that are broken up and not as processed. You can ground them up and use them to bake like powder, or you can mix them into things like yogurt and trail mix. They're high in fiber, and they give you a nice bit of antioxidants, as well. Pagination.
What is cocoa solid?
Cocoa solids are what you have once you remove the cocoa fat, or cocoa butter, from cocoa paste. When you dry cocoa solids, you get cocoa powder. Continued. To get noticeable health benefits from chocolate, you need to eat more of the cocoa solids found in dark chocolate.
How many ounces of chocolate is in a quarter cup?
One-quarter cup of dark chocolate, about 1.5 oz or 2 large squares, contains:
Where does chocolate come from?
Chocolate comes from the seeds of the cacao pod, which grows on the cacao tree. Theobroma cacao is native to the tropical rainforests of Central America, where it has grown for thousands of years. It was likely cultivated by the Olmecs and Maya peoples about 2,500 years ago. By about 2,000 years ago, the Maya were experienced cacao bean farmers, ...
Why is chocolate so popular?
Chocolate has since become a popular food product that millions enjoy every day, thanks to its unique, rich, and sweet taste.
What happens if chocolate is darker?
The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of cocoa, and so, in theory, the higher the level of antioxidants there will be in the bar.
How much cadmium is in chocolate?
In 2017, Consumer Lab tested 43 chocolate products and found that nearly all cocoa powders contained more than 0.3 mcg cadmium per serving, the maximum amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Where does chocolate come from?
Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma cacao tree seeds. Its earliest use dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica. After the European discovery of the Americas, chocolate became very popular in the wider world, and its demand exploded. Chocolate has since become a popular food product that millions enjoy every day, ...
Does chocolate cause tooth decay?
Chocolate that is high in sugar can lead to tooth decay if eaten in excess. Chocolate may have health benefits, but it can have some negative effects, too. Weight gain: Some studies suggest that chocolate consumption is linked to lower body mass index ( BMI) and central body fat.
Does dark chocolate help with oxygen?
Findings published in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggest that a little dark chocolate might boost oxygen availability during fitness training.
Does hot chocolate help with memory?
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people. The researchers found that hot chocolate helped improve blood flow to parts of the brain where it was needed.
How much fiber is in dark chocolate?
It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals. A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains ( 1 ): 11 grams of fiber. 67% of the RDI for iron. 58% of the RDI for magnesium. 89% of the RDI for copper. 98% of the RDI for manganese. It also has plenty of potassium, phosphorus,
How long does it take for dark chocolate to cause redness?
The minimal erythemal dose (MED) is the minimum amount of UVB rays required to cause redness in the skin 24 hours after exposure. In one study of 30 people, the MED more than doubled after consuming dark chocolate high in flavanols for 12 weeks ( 19. Trusted Source.
Which fruit has the most antioxidants?
One study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate had more antioxidant activity, polyphenols and flavanols than any other fruits tested, which included blueberries and acai berries ( 2 ). Summary Cocoa and dark chocolate have a wide variety of. powerful antioxidants.
What is cacao made of?
Made from the seed of the cacao tree, it’s one of the best sources of antioxidants you can find.
Does cocoa increase blood pressure?
The bioactive compounds in cocoa may improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.
Does cocoa lower LDL?
It makes perfect sense that cocoa lowers oxidized LDL. It contains an abundance of powerful antioxidants that do make it into the bloodstream and protect lipoproteins against oxidative damage ( 12, 13, 14 ).
Does dark chocolate help with cholesterol?
In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease. In fact, several long-term observational studies show a fairly drastic improvement.
Why is dark chocolate good for you?
Just another benefit of the dark chocolate flavanols which help to produce this vital Nitric Oxide. 11. It helps you produce more endorphins. When you are on a high, it may be due to excitement, love or after exercise. This high is due to the release of endorphins which are brain hormones.
Why is chocolate considered an indulgent treat?
Chocolate is regarded as an indulgent treat because it is mainly associated with weight gain and acne. Americans spend $10 billion annually on chocolaty treats. It is not all bad news as countless studies show dark chocolate has many health benefits. Here are 20 you may not know about and which will help you to indulge in it with less guilt.
Why is cocoa low in flavanols?
The only problem is that when it comes to eating chocolate, the percentage of those cocoa flavanols is much reduced due to the processing and the addition of eggs, sugar and milk.
Does chocolate help your heart?
1. It can help your heart to stay healthy. Lots of studies reveal that the flavonoids in chocolate can help your veins and arteries to stay supple. Over 7 studies followed 114,000 participants who were given a few servings of dark chocolate a week.
Does chocolate burn skin?
One study conducted in London found that women who were given chocolate with a high flavanol content were able to withstand double the amount of UV light on their skins without burning, compared to those on lower doses.
Is chocolate good for you?
There has been an increase in attention toward chocolate and the benefits it has for our health. Chocolate containing 70 percent or more cocoa, known as dark, bittersweet, or semisweet chocolate, has shown beneficial effects. However, new research shows that anywhere from 50 to 90 percent can be beneficial due to different manufacturing processes. The benefits that come from consuming chocolate are in the chocolate liquor (solids) used to make it. Here is the latest research on dark chocolate's health benefits.
Does dark chocolate help with skin?
Antioxidants from the diet contribute to maintaining healthy skin. Cocoa mass or chocolate liquor found in dark chocolate increases skin hydration and skin density, decreases the roughness of skin, and increases the blood flow in tissues. The antioxidants in dark chocolate also act endogenously as "photoprotectors" from the sun.
Does dark chocolate lower blood pressure?
Research has indicated that consuming dark chocolate in moderation can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Dark chocolate has this effect due to its high polyphenol content — specifically, the flavanols (flavonoids), a subgroup of the polyphenolic family. Only dark chocolate has these health benefits; white chocolate contains zero polyphenols and has no cocoa solids. Milk chocolate contains very little polyphenols and a small percentage of cocoa solids. The polyphenols have the ability to lower blood pressure by increasing the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide sends signals that cause the arteries to relax. When the arteries relax, the resistance of blood flow will then decrease, lowering blood pressure.
What is dark chocolate?
To be considered “dark chocolate,” chocolate must contain at least 50% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, but it doesn’t contain milk, like in milk chocolate, except in trace amounts that may occur from cross-contamination during production. The darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids you’re getting — and the most possible health benefits.
How many grams of cacao is in a serving of dark chocolate?
A 1-ounce serving of dark chocolate, between 70% to 85% cacao solids, contains: Calories: 170. Protein: 2 grams. Fat: 12 grams. Carbohydrates: 13 grams. Fiber: 3 grams. Sugar: 7 grams. Portion Sizes. An ounce or two per day is more than enough to get the health benefits of dark chocolate.
How many calories are in dark chocolate?
You’ll get the most flavanols from chocolate that’s 70% or more dark. Nutrients per Serving. A 1-ounce serving of dark chocolate, between 70% to 85% cacao solids, contains: Calories: 170. Protein: 2 grams.
What percentage of chocolate is flavanol?
Dark chocolate of 70% or more does contain the most beneficial flavanols, but the darker it gets, the more bitter it tastes.
How much power do you put on dark chocolate?
When baking with dark chocolate, it’s important to heat it slowly over low stove heat or at 50% power on your microwave so you don’t scorch it.
When was chocolate popular?
Chocolate has been a popular treat since the Mayans enjoyed it to spice their beverages back in 2000 B.C. We still value chocolate today, and now we have even more reasons to crave it in all its many forms, from chocolate drinks to chocolate flavoring to hard chocolate candies. Not only is it a popular tasty treat, but dark chocolate also has a wide range of health benefits.
Is cocoa good for you?
Health Benefits. Cocoa is rich in flavanols, which are plant chemicals that are great for health. The unique flavan-3-ols in cacao beans are what gives pure cocoa a bitter taste. Because cocoa's flavanols have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and free-radical scavenging properties — and dark chocolate has a high concentration ...
How much fiber is in dark chocolate?
One benefit dark chocolate has over milk: fiber. You get almost 5 grams in a 1.55-ounce bar—compared with 1.5 grams in the same serving of milk chocolate.
How many calories are in a bar of dark chocolate?
A 1.55-ounce bar of milk chocolate has 235 calories, 13 grams of fat, and 22 grams of sugars. The same amount of 70 percent dark chocolate has 263 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 11 grams of sugars.
Does dark chocolate help with heart disease?
Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, antioxidant compounds—also found in tea and wine —that may help protect against heart disease.
