Lindt 90% dark chocolate contains a very low amount of sugar, typically around 7 grams per 100g (or 1.4g per 20-30g serving), with some sources mentioning slightly different values like 2g per 30g serving, highlighting its high cocoa content and minimal added sugars for a richer dark chocolate experience.
Dark chocolates with even higher cocoa percentages, such as 90% or 99%, will have even less sugar, sometimes as little as 5g per 100g or even less.
Just 2 squares of 70% Lindt dark chocolate contains only 1.5 tsp of sugar… 👉 2 Lindt balls also contain 1.5 tsp 😮 Dark chocolate can be part of a healthy lifestyle – it's rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, great for your cells and your mood.
To Your Health!
According to a report out of Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome, dark chocolate – but not milk chocolate or dark chocolate eaten with milk – delivers powerful antioxidants that gobble up free radicals that contribute to aging, heart disease, and other health issues.
As well as containing less sugar than milk or white chocolate, the flavonoids contained in dark chocolate can reduce heart disease risks and help lower blood sugar levels — two essential benefits for people living with type 2 diabetes.
Dark chocolate's dark side
While some metals provide essential benefits, too much of any of these metals can cause issues. 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.
The healthiest dark chocolate brands focus on high cocoa content (70%+), minimal sugar, few ingredients, and low heavy metal contamination, with top picks often including Lindt Excellence 90-95%, Lily's 70%, Mast Organic, Pico Super Dark, and K+M Chocolate (using olive oil), all offering rich flavor without excessive sugar or undesirable additives, while also checking for organic seals to avoid pesticides.
The healthiest dark chocolates in Australia often feature high cocoa content (85%+), low sugar, minimal ingredients, and no artificial additives, with top contenders including Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa, Well Naturally No Sugar Added, Pico Super Dark (85%), and Sapphy Premium 75%, known for their natural sweeteners or sugar-free focus, catering to different health priorities like low sugar, organic ingredients, or vegan options.
Consistent excessive consumption of dark chocolate can cause harmful long-term effects. These can primarily be attributed to chocolate's fat and calorie content, which can cause weight gain. While dark chocolate contains lower levels of sugar in comparison to other candies, you must stick to reasonable levels.
Why was a class action filed against Lindt? Consumer Reports tested 28 dark chocolate bars for lead and cadmium in 2023, and found that two of Lindt's dark chocolate bars contained levels that were higher than what's considered safe to regularly consume.
There's a myth that you can't eat chocolate if you have diabetes. But you can eat chocolate, just in moderation and not too often. Try not to eat a lot in one go as it affects your blood sugar levels.
For a reduced sugar content, you may try the EXCELLENCE 85% Cocoa chocolate bar which has 5g of sugar per serving, or the EXCELLENCE 90% Cocoa chocolate bar which has 1.3g of sugar per serving.
While the health benefits of dark chocolate are compelling, eating a whole bar in one go isn't the best idea. Experts generally agree that a portion of 30g to 60g per day is reasonable for most people — that's about: 2 to 4 small squares of a dark chocolate bar. Roughly 1/4 to 1/3 of a standard 100g bar.
Unfortunately, dark chocolate also contains other saturated fats, including about 25 per cent palmitic acid, a saturated fat that does raise blood cholesterol levels.
When you go on a diet, it's important not to give up on every single little sweet treat altogether. Dark chocolate in particular is very high in beneficial substances and can improve microcirculation by increasing lean body mass, making it the perfect snack, even when dieting.
Dark chocolate generally contains 50–90% cocoa. And be aware that some chocolates that look dark have high levels of refined sugar or dairy. There's no consensus about when chocolate starts to become beneficial for your diet, but Prof. Spector recommends opting for chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa.
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Dark chocolate is considered a functional food due to its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.
Although research is limited, consuming dark chocolate in the morning could boost your mood and support heart health. For weight loss, the afternoon may be best to help reduce cravings. Consume it in moderation as part of a nutritious diet and watch for added calories and sugar.
The healthiest dark chocolate brands focus on high cocoa content (70%+), minimal sugar, few ingredients, and low heavy metal contamination, with top picks often including Lindt Excellence 90-95%, Lily's 70%, Mast Organic, Pico Super Dark, and K+M Chocolate (using olive oil), all offering rich flavor without excessive sugar or undesirable additives, while also checking for organic seals to avoid pesticides.
There's no single "#1 best" chocolate, as taste is subjective, but top contenders often include Domori (Italy) for rare cacao, Teuscher (Switzerland) for luxury truffles, Cacaosuyo (Peru) for award-winning origin bars, and brands like Lindt, Godiva, Dandelion Chocolate, and Lake Champlain for quality and widespread appeal, with winners varying by awards and personal preference.
However, the lawsuit hinges on claims that independent testing in December 2022 revealed that Lindt's 70% and 85% dark chocolate products contained 'exceedingly high levels of lead and cadmium', which could pose a health risk, particularly to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children.
Dark chocolate bars with no added sugar and sugar-free alternatives that use sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit are the best options for diabetics. Brands such as Guppy's, Chocolarder, Willie's Cacao offer delicious low sugar or sugar-free varietes.
To enjoy chocolate while managing blood glucose levels, follow these tips: Choose dark chocolate: Opt for chocolate with at least 70% cacao content. Dark chocolate typically contains less sugar and offers more health benefits, making it a better choice for people with diabetes.
Of the three types of chocolate — dark, milk and white — dark chocolate is the healthiest, nutrition experts say.