Lindt 85% is the best combo of value-for-money and healthy benefits.
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).
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.
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.
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. There is evidence that the nutrients and antioxidants in cocoa — particularly flavanols — may help: boost beneficial gut bacteria.
Dark chocolate contains some stearic acid and this has led to claims that chocolate does not raise blood cholesterol. Unfortunately, dark chocolate also contains saturated fats which do raise cholesterol.
What are the side effects of eating dark chocolate? The dark chocolate side effects may be associated with caffeine. It may cause sleeplessness, nervousness, increased urination, fast heartbeat, skin allergies, migraine and headache, nausea, and stomach problems like gas and constipation.
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.
Anti-inflammatory effect. Several experimental studies found that Dark chocolate also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
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.
Polyphenols in dark chocolate may improve insulin sensitivity, or how well insulin works in the body. This, in turn, may help control blood sugar, according to research published in Endocrine Abstracts. Such improved insulin sensitivity may delay, or even prevent, the onset of diabetes.
In contrast, the higher percentage 85% bar is more assertive on the palate. The presence of cocoa powder adds very robust cocoa notes. “This is a bar for purists who enjoy a bold taste,” says Thomas. And while, Lindt's 90% bar has more cacao, it's still quite smooth and creamy, thanks to the presence of cocoa butter.
And even though quality dark chocolate is a better choice than milk chocolate, it is still chocolate, meaning it's high in calories and saturated fat. To avoid weight gain, Amidor recommends eating no more than 1 ounce (oz) of dark chocolate per day.
Could Exceed Safe Heavy Metal Consumption. While dark chocolate can have positive effects on your health, a 2022 study by Consumer Reports found that eating dark chocolate everyday could be harmful for adults, children and pregnant people.
Dark chocolate also contains theobromine, a stimulant that can boost mood and energy levels. While this might seem counterproductive to getting a good night's sleep, theobromine has been shown to have a relaxing effect on the body that can lead to improved sleep quality.
It also contains a moderate amount of saturated fat, which can negatively affect blood lipid levels, though its heart-protective effects from flavanols appear to outweigh the risk. Choosing dark chocolate and eating modest quantities may offer the greatest health benefits.
Is Dark Chocolate Good Before Bed? Yes, dark chocolate is good before bed. It is a natural source of magnesium, which is a mineral that helps to relax the body and nervous system. It also contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can help to improve sleep quality.
Chocolate makers consider dark chocolate with 50% to 60% of cocoa solids as semisweet dark chocolate. 61% to 69% is ranked as bittersweet dark chocolate, and anything above 70% is classed as bitter dark chocolate.
Eating dark chocolate regularly can help aging adults increase their brain function due to the theobromine and caffeine it contains. The same flavonoids that prevent heart conditions also boost memory, attention span, and reaction time.
Dark chocolate, for example, has a high concentration of antioxidants that aid in liver cleansing and blood pressure control, both of which are important for people who suffer from liver cirrhosis. Dark chocolate can reduce oxidative stress, which may result in improved NAFLD and metabolic syndrome.
Dark chocolate is known for lasting longer than milk and white chocolate. The absence of dairy content makes it less perishable. If unopened and stored properly, dark chocolate lasts 2 years (from the day it was made). If opened, but still stored properly, the rule of thumb is one year.