CAN CHOCOLATE BE HEALTHY ?

Bars, powders, nibs oh my! I admit it, I’m a chocoholic! So many choices, so little time! But seriously, can chocolate really be a part of a healthy diet? The short answer is YES, it can. Read on to learn more about how you can make chocolate a part of?your healthy lifestyle.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHOCOLATE

There were only 2 kinds of chocolate when I was I kid growing up in the sticks of North Carolina — Hershey bars and Nestles chocolate chips. But somehow chocolate got big and got an attitude! Now there’s artisanal chocolate, chocolate nibs, cacao, bars, powders — just to name a few!?

To keep things simple, let’s review the 4 basic kinds of chocolate.

Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolate, as the name implies, is solid chocolate with milk added to the mix — it must contain at least 12% milk and at least 10% chocolate liqueur (pure cocoa butter + cocoa solids) along with sugar and usually an emulsifier. Due to its softer texture and higher dairy content, milk chocolate melts more easily than dark chocolate. It’s also sweeter than dark chocolate since it’s higher in sugar.?

Dark Chocolate

Technically, semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate are part of the dark chocolate family. Bitterweet chocolate usually has less sugar than semi-sweet. Both must contain a minimum of 35%?cocoa?solids. Both are generally used when baking.

Dark chocolate contains chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, but no milk solids. The amount of cocoa in dark chocolate can range all the way up to 90%.?

Aim for dark more often (>65%) and go with organic if you buy raw cacao. These pack antioxidants, iron, and magnesium, and may also support reduced inflammation and cholesterol levels.

Depending on how the beans are sourced and processed, dark chocolate can range in flavor from mellow and smooth to very fruity. The percentage of cocoa in the chocolate has less of an effect on the flavor.

Unsweetened Chocolate

Unsweetened chocolate or baking chocolate is just good old chocolate liquor —cocoa butter + cocoa solids without any added sugar. It’s used almost exclusively in baking due to its super bitter taste.?

White Chocolate

Chocolate purists contend that white chocolate isn’t really chocolate as it doesn’t?contain any cocoa solids. It’s just pure cocoa butter, milk, and sugar. Its white color is due to the fact no cocoa solids were used in processing. White chocolate must contain at least 20% cocoa butter to be considered “chocolate”.

White chocolate has a sweeter, milder taste than either milk or dark chocolate and other ingredients like vanilla are often added for a bit of flavor. This chocolate is often used in baking or as a coating for decoration.?

HEALTH BENEFITS

If you’re gonna eat chocolate, dark chocolate may be the better choice. The darker the chocolate means the higher the cocoa content which equals greater health benefits. Dark chocolate may also contain less fat and sugar but always read the label to be sure.?

1.?Antioxidant content:?Dark chocolate is high in organic, bioactive, antioxidant compounds. According to one?study, chocolate has more polyphenols and flavonoids than blueberries or acai berries.?Dark chocolate is also considered a?fermented?food, however, it contains no active cultures.

2. Anti-inflammatory: Dark chocolate may help reduce inflammation which is the root cause of almost all chronic disease. A?2018?study found that eating 30 gm of chocolate with 84% cocoa significantly reduced inflammation markers in people with type II diabetes.?

3.??Heart healthy: Dark chocolate may help decrease?blood?pressure and improve cholesterol by lowering?LDL?and raising?HDL.?A 2015?study?indicated that eating 100 grams of dark chocolate daily may help decrease the risk of stroke and heart disease. A little dark chocolate may also improve?insulin sensitivity?which is a risk factor for chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

4.??Good for your brain: Brain function may also benefit from a bit of this tasty treat. The flavanols in cocoa may help improve?blood flow?to the brain and?cognitive?function in seniors . A 2016?study?found that eating chocolate at least once a week may help help brain function.

RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS?

Chocolate is high in calories and fat so a little goes a long way. The darker the chocolate, the lower it is in sugar, so choose 70% or higher cocoa content.?

It does contain 35 mg of caffeine per ounce so if you’re cutting back on your caffeine intake, keep this in mind.?

Dark chocolate contains oxalates — a compound found in some fruits and vegetables which may contribute to the develop of kidney stones if you’re prone to this condition.?

All chocolate is not created equal so it’s important to look for a quality product. The higher the % cocoa solids, the higher the antioxidant and nutrient content of the chocolate.?Try to buy organic if possible to reduce your exposure to unnecessary chemicals and toxins.

HOW MUCH CAN I EAT

A recent?study?found that eating 1.6 ounces of dark chocolate every day may help improve blood vessel function. How does this happen? Dark chocolate contains high levels of the flavonoid, epicatechin, which may help improve blood flow in your arteries.

Generally, most studies saw health benefits when subjects consumed around 20-30 grams of dark chocolate a day. Also look for dark chocolate with a higher percentage of cacao solids which equals more flavonoids.?

But don’t think eating more is better! Even dark chocolate is high in calories which can contribute to weight gain. Think moderation!

BEST HEALTHY CHOCOLATES TO TRY

Two of my favorite brands are?The Good Chocolate and?Good Sam Foods?Dark Chocolate Bars. Both are organic, low sugar, vegan/ keto friendly and sustainably sourced. And let’s not forget, they taste good too! If you’re a chocolate lover but looking to make better health choices and don’t want to compromise on taste, consider giving these a try.?

RECIPE LINKS

Well, all this chocolate talk has made me hungry! Give these recipe links to some delicious and healthy chocolate recipes a try.

Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Bites

Chocolate Coconut Power Protein Shake

Chocolate Chunk Prebiotic Plant Protein Energy Balls

Better Chocolate Banana Loaf

J-Wro’s Mexican Hot Chocolate