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Dec 4, 2022 · Any kind of chocolate can fit into an overall well-rounded eating pattern, but are there specific health benefits to eating chocolate regularly? In this article, we'll share the latest research on the health effects of eating chocolate regularly.
Is it right that chocolate is good for me and if so, what type should I eat? BHF dietitian Victoria Taylor says: We’re asked to comment on chocolate research on a fairly regular basis, usually in the hope that our advice will be to eat more!
- Chocolate Is Good For Me
- Chocolate Gives Me Energy
- Dark Chocolate Is Better For Me
- A Chocolate Bar Is The Perfect Portion
- Chocolate Is Addictive
- Hot Chocolate Doesn’T Count
- I Can’T Eat Chocolate, I Have Diabetes
- Chocolate with Bubbles in Is ‘Lighter’
Cocoa beans, the main ingredient in chocolate, contain naturally occurring polyphenols. There is some evidence that polyphenols help reduce blood pressure and have antioxidant properties. A July 2020 study from the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, has suggested that chocolate can keep the heart’s blood vessels healthy. But this study doesn't cons...
Chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine, which may contribute to the idea that it makes us energetic. When you’re hungry, it’s better to eat a snack that provides sustained energy release. Choose foods with less sugar and fat and more fibre, such as a small sandwich, a piece of toast, an apple or a small bowl of unsweetened cereal.
Dark chocolate contains more cocoa solids and cocoa butter than milk chocolate, but the amount of polyphenols depends on how the chocolate is processed, so it’s not necessarily better. During the manufacturing process, cleaning, fermentation, roasting time and temperature, ‘dutching’ (alkalising) and the addition of extra ingredients to the cocoa (...
Any excess energy you consume will lead to weight gain. One chocolate bar averages 250kcal. This is equivalent to 10 per cent of a man’s and 12 per cent of a woman’s recommended daily intake, and it’s often gobbled down in a few minutes. In order to lose the energy obtained from a chocolate bar, a 50-year-old person needs to walk for 45–55 minutes.
There is no evidence that chocolate causes physical addiction. Instead, our feelings about chocolate tend to dictate our behaviour, as we associate it with comfort, reward and celebration. This connection means we might feel that we ‘need’ it, which can make it hard to control how much we eat. Instead, try to obtain pleasurable feelings in other wa...
Cocoa powder used to make hot chocolate contains less fat because it doesn’t include the cocoa butter and other fats found in a chocolate bar. However, depending on what you mix the cocoa powder with, your hot chocolate drink can contain as much energy (calories), fat and sugar as between one and two-and-a-half average chocolate bars. Be wary of ho...
Most people who have diabetes can usually consume chocolate in moderation and as part of a healthy lifestyle and diet. There is no need for special diabetic chocolate products that are often higher in energy and fat, and may still raise your blood glucose levels. Instead, if you do decide to eat chocolate, stick to a small amount of it and try to h...
The energy, fat and sugar content per 100gare similar to other chocolates. Added air makes it less dense than solid chocolate, so eating chocolate with bubbles can be like eating a slightly smaller bar, and therefore you are getting less fat, saturated fat and sugar per portion. But always check the portion size. Some bubbly chocolates are sold in ...
- Jaime Osnato
- It Might Give You Energy or Make You Jittery. Your daily chocolate bar might be the perfect pick-me-up when you're feeling pooped. You can thank the caffeine for that, Yeung says.
- It's Linked to Heart Health. Munching on chocolate may be marvelous for your heart health. Indeed, powerful plant compounds called flavonoids that are found in cocoa may help decrease LDL (aka "bad") cholesterol, improve blood flow and reduce insulin resistance (which is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes), according to Harvard Health Publishing.
- It May Support Brain Health. Your chocolate bar may also boast some benefits for your brain. "Some research shows that the flavanols in chocolate might be associated with improved memory and better reaction times," Yeung says.
- It's Tied to Increased Bad Cholesterol. While cocoa flavonoids may be linked to lower cholesterol, certain kinds of chocolate — especially when eaten in excess — may lead to an increase in LDL cholesterol levels.
- Rich in flavanols. Flavanols are a type of flavonoid that’s found in plants such as the cacao tree. These trees produce the cacao beans used to make chocolate.
- Source of important minerals. Dark chocolate is packed full of important minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus. In your body, these minerals are used to support factors such as immunity (zinc), can help keep your bones and teeth healthy (phosphorus), and contribute to better sleep quality (magnesium).
- Non-dairy. As its name implies, milk chocolate contains some form of milk or milk solids. But dark chocolate is generally considered non-dairy. That means it’s a good option if you have a sensitivity to milk products or try to keep a dairy-free diet.
- High in fiber. Compared to other sweet treats, dark chocolate is high in fiber. “In a small amount of dark chocolate (about an ounce), there’s are about four grams of fiber,” Peart says.
Good news! Dr Michael Mosley says chocolate is good for you. Chocolate is great; it tastes delicious and even better, it doesn’t have to be a naughty-but-nice treat. New science is revealing...
People also ask
Should I eat chocolate if I like it?
Is chocolate good for You?
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Should you eat white chocolate or dark chocolate?
Research shows that eating chocolate can improve your mood, boost your brain function, and even lower your risk of heart disease. However, chocolate is also high in calories, sugar, and fat, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
