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. Now, don't go overboard and think that just because it's “dark chocolate”, you can scoff down a whole block guilt-free.
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.
An ounce or two per day is more than enough to get the health benefits of dark chocolate. Eat more than that, and you'll risk the negative effects of weight gain from the fats and calories.
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.
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. Now, don't go overboard and think that just because it's “dark chocolate”, you can scoff down a whole block guilt-free.
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.
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.
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.
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 chocolates are confirmed as an excellent source of magnesium (252.2 mg/100 g) and iron (10.9 mg/100 g): in chocolate containing 90% cocoa, their content corresponds to, respectively, 67.0% and 80.3 of Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) in the European Union.
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).
Excessive consumption of dark chocolate can increase caffeine levels in blood, causing increased heart rate, nausea, dehydration and insomnia. Approximately 30-60 grams of dark chocolate per day is recommended quantity to be healthy.
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.
If you eat too much dark chocolate, you may experience immediate unpleasant symptoms such as indigestion, headache and heartburn. Chocolate's mild psychoactive effects could also produce a feeling of alertness and elation, followed by lethargy and depression.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Purchase and Storage. Choose 70% dark chocolate or higher to obtain the most flavanols. Though keep in mind that the higher the percentage of cocoa solids, the greater the bitter flavor. Store in a cool dry area (65-70 F) in a tightly sealed container.
In summary, this research shows that 70% cocoa dark chocolate consumption can benefit verbal episodic memory two hours post consumption in healthy young adults relative to a white chocolate control.
Chocolate has shown to have surprising health benefits. Limited amounts of Dark Chocolate are proven to be beneficial for the liver.
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.
Anti-inflammatory effect. Several experimental studies found that Dark chocolate also has an anti-inflammatory effect.