These days, chocolate is gaining a reputation as being: "Great for me! It has tons of antioxidants, right? So I can eat as much as I want!" We wish that were always the case, but not necessarily.
THE FACTS ABOUT THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE:
- Chocolate comes from cocoa beans, which are bitter and full of antioxidants called phenols, which have been shown to reduce blood pressure!
- However, most chocolate we as consumers buy does not taste quite as bitter or look like a cocoa bean, which means it was heavily processed. The process, called alkalization, removes the bitter flavor, therefore removing a high portion of antioxidants.
- Most people buy chocolate in the form of "milk chocolate." This chocolate is less than one third cocoa, and made of mostly milk and sugar, making it a high calorie, high fat snack. Milk has also been shown to cancel out some of the antioxidants.
- Experts recommend switching over to dark chocolate, which by definition is a cocoa mass of over 35%. Aim for 70%! The higher the cocoa mass, the more health benefits and antioxidants, and the less sugar.
- Everything in moderation! Even dark chocolate is high in sugar and saturated fats. Even one of the top choices of dark chocolate on Fooducate, Green & Black's 85% Dark Chocolate, has 250 calories in one single serving, 60% of your daily value for saturated fat, and 2 teaspoons of sugar.
The bottom line: This Valentine's Day, or really any day, one or two squares of dark chocolate are a semi-healthy, pleasurable treat, and a thoughtful and tasty gift. Just make sure the chocolate is 70% or higher cocoa content, and share with your Valentine, aiming to eat less than the serving size. And for those mourning being alone this Valentine's day--buy yourself some dark chocolate, eat half a serving, and save the rest for another day!
