I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news – but chocolate is chocolate, and should never be considered a 'health' food. It's choc-full of saturated fat which is bad for your heart, as well as added sugar which can be detrimental to your teeth.
Chocolate is believed to contain high levels of antioxidants. Some studies have suggested chocolate could lower cholesterol levels and prevent memory decline. Chocolate contains a large number of calories. People who are seeking to lose or maintain weight should eat chocolate only in moderation.
It provides plenty of micronutrients. Understandably, a lot of the discussion around milk chocolate focuses on fat and sugar content, but it's also packing plenty of nutrients that important for a healthy body. Given that it's made with milk, it won't surprise you to learn that milk chocolate contains plenty of calcium ...
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).
Excessive consumption of anything is harmful to health, whether it is veggies or chocolate. One must not eat more than 30 to 60 grams of chocolate in a day. Consuming too much chocolate will increase your daily calorie count leading to weight gain and other issues.
The weaknesses of Cadbury are limited product range, product recall and lack of US rights.
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. In comparison, if you ate a medium-size raw apple, you'd only take in 95 calories.
It is a high-energy (high calorie) food, and too much can result in excess weight, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
An apple is a healthier snack because it has more nutritional value than chocolate — and a fraction of the calories. Apples contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to healthy growth and development, as well as brain functioning, heart health, and our bodies' other daily needs.
Most dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, particularly a subtype called flavanols that is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
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. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.
You can enjoy dark chocolates as often as you want. However, for a person who wishes to lose weight with these chocolates, dark chocolates should be eaten on an empty stomach or 30 minutes after a solid-food meal. They can also be eaten as a snack between lunch and dinner.
Don't Eat: Chocolate
Even though chocolate doesn't contain much of the stuff, even a little caffeine can disturb or halt the sleep-inducing chemical processes going on in your brain and body before bedtime, he says.
Chocolate consumption may help prevent formation of artery plaques and improve blood flow. Chocolate may also have anti-cancer benefits because the flavonoids in chocolate may help reduce cell damage that can spur tumor growth.
Coffee has more vitamin B12 and fiber than chocolate. Coffee contains only 0.002 grams of saturated fat, which is 9260 times less than chocolate's 18.52 grams. Chocolate has more copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc than coffee. Chocolate provides 114 percent of your daily copper intake.
Based on the above information, it's obvious the debate is over when it comes to whether chocolate or vanilla ice cream is better. The answer is neither. There simply isn't much of a difference between the two when considering health benefits (or lack of), environmental impact and consumer preference.
"Dark chocolate absolutely is considered a superfood. It has fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, to name a few key nutrients. It also packs a powerful antioxidant punch, containing flavanols and polyphenols among others, which have been linked to heart health.
Have fruit at the ready. Fruit is a fantastic, portable, healthy snack. It's sweet but with the nutritious packaging of water, fibre, antioxidants and vitamins. Grab a banana in the afternoon for a great pick-me-up or nibble on a punnet of berries after dinner for dessert.
Eating chocolate in the morning may help burn body fat, decrease glucose levels, and improved microbiome health, thanks to the flavanol content, according to a new study. Food timing is a relevant factor in weight control.
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.
Dark Chocolate Improves Learning, Memory, and Focus
Seniors who consume foods high in flavonoids, including chocolate, score better on standardized cognitive tests. Chocolate also contains some caffeine, a known brain booster that, in low doses, improves both mental and physical performance.
Why do so many of us get so fat? the answer appears obvious. “The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight,” the World Health Organization says, “is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.” Put simply, we either eat too much or are too sedentary, or both.
It helps fight PMS. “There's a reason we crave certain foods, such as chocolate, at that time of the month,” says Toronto-based raw foods coach Nathalie Lussier. “Chocolate releases calming endorphins that reduce anxiety. Plus, it's high in magnesium,” which lifts moods and reduces water retention.