When it comes to which type of chocolate is the healthiest, the answer is simple: it's dark chocolate by a landslide. Since dark varieties contain super-high cocoa contents (usually 70 to 80 percent, but many up to 100!), they contain more flavanols than milk chocolate.
But, compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate is the healthier alternative. Dark chocolate contains less sugar and no milk while having much more cacao. The high percentage of cacao creates certain benefits from consuming dark chocolate. Flavanol is found in many plants, including the cacao plant.
If you've dreamt of eating chocolate every day, now you have an excuse — or eight. Scientific studies have shown that dark chocolate — sorry, milk and white chocolate don't count — is rich in antioxidants and packed with nutrients, making this bittersweet treat a superfood favorite.
This is because, compared to dark chocolate, milk chocolate contains less of the original cocoa bean — and the more cocoa that is present, the higher the nutritional quality.
How dark chocolate may help with weight loss. Dark chocolate is generally higher in fiber and nutrients and lower in sugar than milk chocolate. There's some evidence to suggest that the cocoa in it can contribute to weight loss, but the evidence is not very strong.
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.
Every type of chocolate has a different sugar content. Dark chocolate, which is high in cocoa, contains much less sugar than milk or white chocolate.
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.
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. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.
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.”
So is dark chocolate actually healthy? 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.
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.
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.
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.
Dark chocolate is by far the healthiest form of the treat, containing the least sugar and, because of its cocoa content, higher levels of substances that protect the body's cells.
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.
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 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).
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.
Cadbury Bournville Dark Chocolate contains 50 percent cocoa content and a high 47% sugar.
The best type of chocolate for high blood pressure management is bittersweet dark chocolate that is rich in cocoa solids. Any chocolate that has 50 to 90% cocoa solids is called dark chocolate.