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Health Benefits of Chocolate

Revel in the potential health benefits of chocolate, but don’t overindulge! Chocolate is still
rich in calories, sugar, and fat that can bust your diet if you overdo it.
Chocolate contains powerful antioxidants called flavonoids, as well as some magnesium.
These nutrients may help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and
stroke.

Dark chocolate is the most nutritious form of chocolate. Compared with milk chocolate, it
contains more than double the amount of heart-healthy flavonoids. Milk chocolate has
another strike against it: The added milk it contains may reduce the body’s ability to absorb
the beneficial flavonoids. To enjoy the delicious taste of chocolate and receive the benefits
of flavonoids, choose a dark-chocolate variety that contains at least 70 percent cacao, or
cocoa. (Dark chocolate is more nutritious than milk chocolate)

Dark chocolate’s potential health benefits certainly don’t give you a free pass to
overindulge, though. You’ll still need to watch your portions. That’s because even dark
chocolate contains calories, fat, and sugar that will lead to weight gain if you overdo it, so be
strategic about incorporating this treat into your diet. The best dark-chocolate varieties
contain only one type of fat — cocoa butter — and do not contain added palm oil, coconut
oil, or milk fat. Technically, they’re all saturated fats, but cocoa butter has a neutral effect
on cholesterol levels, so it won’t raise your blood cholesterol the way other saturated fats
will. (The best dark-chocolate varieties contain only one type of fat cocoa butter, that it won’t raise
your blood cholesterol the way other saturated fats will.)
Try sticking with one-ounce, snack-sized portions, and be sure to account for an extra 150
calories in your daily calorie allotment. You may also enjoy a cup of low-fat hot cocoa
(typically less than 100 calories per cup) or a cup of soy milk with one tablespoon of
chocolate syrup or powder. These beverages are rich in calcium and can help maintain
strong bones. Unsweetened cocoa powder can be used as a flavoring in lower-calorie
dessert recipes as well. I often include it as an ingredient in my recipes like Chocolate-
Hazelnut Biscotti, Chocolate Angel Food Cake, and Warm Dark Chocolate Sauce with Fresh
Fruit. Unsweetened cocoa powder is also a gluten-free food, so if you have celiac disease,
it’s perfectly safe to use. Dark chocolate that has low calories and low sugar is also a gluten
free food, so if you have celiac disease, it's very safe to use.

Many women with PMS crave chocolate before their periods, and they often report that
indulging in chocolate improves their mood, making them feel instantly better. This may be
the result of the serotonin that is released when chocolate is consumed. However, experts
suggest that indulging in nutrient-rich foods — particularly those containing calcium,
vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B6, and manganese — is actually more effective at relieving
most PMS symptoms. Many women with PMS crave chocolate before their periods because
chocolate improves their mood, making them feel instantly better.

Aside from the potential to cause weight gain, chocolate does have other negative effects: It
can be a powerful migraine trigger because it contains both caffeine and the amino acids
tyramine and phenylethylamine. Chocolate can also trigger IBS symptoms in some people. If
you experience discomfort after consuming chocolate, consider limiting your consumption
or avoiding it altogether. Chocolate has several negative effects such as chocolate can
increase body weight, trigger migraines and IBS symptoms, if consumed in excess.

The best sources of chocolate for your diet include dark chocolate that contains 70 percent
cacao, unsweetened cocoa powder, and chocolate beverages made with skim, 1 percent,
or soy milk.