Also, keep in mind that while dark chocolate does have some health benefits, it is still high in calories and sugar, so it should be consumed as part of a balanced diet. So, go ahead and treat yourself to a small square of dark chocolate each day, and enjoy the delicious taste and potential health benefits!
A bite of dark chocolate a day could not only be good for your heart, but may also improve brain function, alleviate stress, and lower the risk of diabetes.
What is the daily recommended amount of dark chocolate? 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.
Dark chocolate's flavanols might help protect your skin from UV (ultraviolet) rays. Those flavanols can also help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure and may help prevent some cancers. We break down all of the science so that you can justify eating your guilty pleasure even more.
Eating a moderate amount of high-cocoa dark chocolate could offer some health benefits. The range of minerals found in dark chocolate means it can support a range of body functions, including in the heart and brain.
How Much Dark Chocolate Per Day Should You Consume? According to health experts, consuming around 30-60 grams of dark chocolate per day is a healthy amount for most people. That's about two to four small squares of your favourite chocolate bar.
Heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, were found in some dark chocolates. These metals can interrupt metabolic functions and the way our organs perform. Some chocolate bars in the study had levels of cadmium and lead that were considered harmful to our health.
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.
Lindt dark chocolate is made with high-quality ingredients and contains a high percentage of cocoa solids, which are responsible for the health benefits of dark chocolate. Lindt dark chocolate is also low in sugar and calories, making it a healthy choice for those looking to improve their health.
Dark chocolate contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body. A 2017 review of literature published in Frontiers in Immunology suggests that eating chocolate may influence the gut microbiome and encourage anti-inflammatory activity.
Dark chocolate is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants. Studies show it can help reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. Studies show that dark chocolate — when it is not loaded with sugar and saturated fat — is indeed a heart-healthy chocolate treat and more.
According to a December 2022 report by Consumer Reports, certain dark chocolate bars, including the Lindt products named in the lawsuit, have high enough levels of lead and cadmium that eating just an ounce a day would put an adult at a consumption level that public health authorities would deem “harmful.”
It's still much more nutritious than black coffee or tea, which contain no calories at all. But it also has 24 grams of sugar — twice as much as the new recommendations for adult sugar consumption in one day.
And moderate amounts of minimally processed, high quality dark chocolate may also be good for your health. Aim for chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa. This contains more natural fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, and fewer other ingredients, like refined sugar and additives.
Brands high in lead are Tony's, Lily's, Godiva, Chocolove (Strong Dark and Extreme Dark), Lindt, Endangered Species, Trader Joe's, Hu, and Hershey's. The brands high in cadmium and lead are Theo (Pure Dark and Extra Dark), Trader Joe's, Lily's, and Green & Black's.
Chocolate, or the compounds within it, does not have any known negative effect on kidney function.
Eating dark chocolate and cocoa alone didn't appear to have a major effect on heart health, she said. “Chocolate doesn't increase cholesterol levels, but it doesn't decrease cholesterol levels either.”
Research continues to point to dark chocolate as having many health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, preventing blood clots, improving memory, lowering cholesterol and even preventing some types of cancer.
If you look at a large, 3.5-ounce bar of very dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa), you'll find around 80 milligrams of caffeine. A similar bar of plain milk chocolate averages 20 milligrams of caffeine. Hot cocoa only has about nine milligrams per eight-ounce cup.