Health effects of chocolate

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‘Five Boys’ milk chocolate

The health effects of chocolate are the possible positive and negative effects on health of eating
chocolate.

Unconstrained consumption of large quantities of any energy-rich food, such as chocolate,

without a corresponding increase in activity, increases the risk of obesity. Raw chocolate is high
in cocoa butter, a fat removed during chocolate refining, then added back in varying proportions
during manufacturing. Manufacturers may add other fats, sugars, and powdered milk as well.

Although considerable research has been conducted to evaluate the potential health benefits of
consuming chocolate, there are insufficient studies to confirm any effect and no medical or
regulatory authority has approved any health claim.

Research[edit]

Acne[edit]

Overall evidence is insufficient to determine the relationship between chocolate consumption

and acne.[1][2] One preliminary study concluded that in males who are prone to acne, eating
chocolate increases the severity of acne.[3] Various studies point not to chocolate, but to the
high glycemic nature of certain foods, like sugar, corn syrup, and other simple carbohydrates, as
potential causes of acne,[1][2][4][5] along with other possible dietary factors.[1][6]

Addiction[edit]

Food, including chocolate, is not typically viewed as addictive.[7] Some people, however, may
want or crave chocolate,[7] leading to a self-described term, chocoholic.[7][8]

Sex[edit]

It has been claimed that chocolate is an aphrodisiac,[9] but there are no rigorous studies to
prove this effect.
Heart and blood vessels[edit]

Reviews support a short-term effect of lowering blood pressure by consuming cocoa products,
but there is no evidence of long-term cardiovascular health benefit.[10][11] While daily
consumption of cocoa flavanols (minimum dose of 200 mg) appears to benefit platelet and
vascular function,[12] there is no good evidence to support an effect on heart attacks or strokes.
[12][13]

Stimulant[edit]

Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, both mild stimulants.[14]

Weight gain[edit]

The effect of chocolate on body weight is unclear. A concern is that excessive consumption of
chocolate may promote high calorie intake and weight gain, a risk factor for many diseases,
including cardiovascular disease.[15] As a consequence, consuming large quantities of dark
chocolate in an attempt to protect against cardiovascular disease is likely to add excessive
calories and induce weight gain.[15]

Lead content[edit]

Although research suggests that even low levels of lead in the body may be harmful to children,
[16][17] it is unlikely that chocolate consumption in small amounts causes lead poisoning. Some
studies have shown that lead may bind to cocoa shells and contamination may occur during the
manufacturing process.[18] One study showed the mean lead level in milk chocolate candy bars
was 0.027 µg lead per gram of candy;[18] another study found that some chocolate purchased at
U.S. supermarkets contained up to 0.965 µg per gram, close to the international (voluntary)
standard limit for lead in cocoa powder or beans, which is 1 µg of lead per gram.[19] In 2006, the
U.S. FDA lowered by one-fifth the amount of lead permissible in candy, but compliance is only
voluntary.[20] Studies concluded that "children, who are big consumers of chocolates, may be at
risk of exceeding the daily limit of lead; whereas one 10 g cube of dark chocolate may contain as
much as 20% of the daily lead oral limit. Moreover chocolate may not be the only source of lead
in their nutrition"[21] and "chocolate might be a significant source of Cd and Pb ingestion,
particularly for children."[22]
Polyphenol and theobromine content[edit]

Chocolate contains polyphenols, especially flavan-3-ols (catechins) and flavonoids which are
under study for their potential effects in the body.[23] The following table shows the content of
phenolics, flavonoids and theobromine in three different types of chocolate.[24]

Type of chocolate Total phenolics (mg/100g) Flavonoids (mg/100g) Theobromine

(mg/100g)

Dark chocolate 579 28 883

Milk chocolate 160 13

125

White chocolate 126 8 0

Other animals[edit]

Main article: Theobromine poisoning

In sufficient amounts, the theobromine found in chocolate is toxic to animals such as cats, dogs,
horses, parrots, and small rodents because they are unable to metabolise the chemical
effectively.[25] If animals are fed chocolate, the theobromine may remain in the circulation for
up to 20 hours, possibly causing epileptic seizures, heart attacks, internal bleeding, and
eventually death. Medical treatment performed by a veterinarian involves inducing vomiting
within two hours of ingestion and administration of benzodiazepines or barbiturates for seizures,
antiarrhythmics for heart arrhythmias, and fluid diuresis.

A typical 20-kilogram (44 lb) dog will normally experience great intestinal distress after eating
less than 240 grams (8.5 oz) of dark chocolate, but will not necessarily experience bradycardia or
tachycardia unless it eats at least a half a kilogram (1.1 lb) of milk chocolate. Dark chocolate has
2 to 5 times more theobromine and thus is more dangerous to dogs. According to the Merck
Veterinary Manual, approximately 1.3 grams of baker's chocolate per kilogram of a dog's body
weight (0.02 oz/lb) is sufficient to cause symptoms of toxicity. For example, a typical 25-gram
(0.88 oz) baker's chocolate bar would be enough to bring about symptoms in a 20-kilogram (44
lb) dog. Of course, baking chocolate is rarely consumed directly due to its unpleasant taste, but
other dark chocolates' canine toxicities may be extrapolated based on this figure. Given access,
dogs frequently consume chocolate at toxic levels because they like the taste of chocolate
products and are capable of finding and eating quantities much larger than typical human
servings. There are reports that mulch made from cacao bean shells is dangerous to dogs and
livestock.