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.
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 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).
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.
Some research suggests that dark chocolate may help lower the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, increase the diversity of the gut microbiome, and improve brain function.
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.
Dark chocolate is a rich source of fiber, loaded with iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and other minerals. You'll get the most flavanols from chocolate that's 70% or more dark. A 1-ounce serving of dark chocolate, between 70% to 85% cacao solids, contains: Calories: 170.
Dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa has plenty of essential nutrients. It's high in iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese. It also contains calcium, potassium, and zinc, as well as traces of vitamins A, B, E, and K.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rich in vitamins A, B1, C, D and E, plus iron and calcium, chocolate nourishes your skin from the inside out to replace lost moisture. PLUS it prevents ageing; defending damage by protecting from harmful UV rays thanks to its antioxidant flavonoids.
Look for dark chocolate bars that have 70% cocoa content or higher if you are looking for a chocolate bar that is not too sweet. Dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage has more antioxidants and nutrients than chocolate with a lower cocoa percentage (1 ).
100% Dark Chocolate Health Benefits
Dark chocolate is full of flavonoids, which provide many health benefits. Flavonoids are a type of polyphenol that contain powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are found naturally in vegetables, fruits and products made from plants (like 100 dark chocolate).
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.
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.
White chocolate is the worst – it has more calories than milk chocolate and more sugar than dark.
Eating large amounts might cause caffeine-related side effects such as nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat. Cocoa can cause allergic skin reactions and might also trigger migraine headaches. It can also cause nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation, and gas.
Rich in protective plant compounds
One of the benefits of dark chocolate is that it is rich in plant compounds that have protective antioxidant properties. These include polyphenols, flavanols and catechins.
Chocolate has shown to have surprising health benefits. Limited amounts of Dark Chocolate are proven to be beneficial for the liver.