Ah, chocolate—that decadent, melt-in-your-mouth delicious treat that’s loved by people around the world. It satisfies cravings for something sweet and its multitude of varieties caters to every taste buds.
Whether you prefer white, milk, or dark chocolate, you may wonder if there’s such a thing as too much of a good thing. That’s why this article explores some of the health benefits of chocolate, keeping you informed and knowing what chocolate sort is ideal for you. Let’s get started.
Why is chocolate healthy?
First things first, chocolate with a high cocoa and low sugar, butter, and milk content is considered healthy. This is because dark chocolate has more flavanols, which have important health-related qualities. To discover what these benefits are, take a look below.
What health benefits does chocolate have?
It’s important to remember that not all chocolate is created equal. Some chocolate varieties have greater sugar, butter/fat, and milk content while others have a high cocoa content. The latter is the type of chocolate that we will focus on. So, what health benefits does this chocolate have? You might be surprised at the answer. Here are a few worth mentioning:
- It can keep stress levels low
- It supports blood and oxygen circulation, thus boosting athletic performance
- Brain functions such as spatial awareness and memory can also be improved
- Helps use insulin better, thus having an ability to prevent or combat diabetes
- It can balance the immune system
- Lowers the risk of blood clotting and improves blood circulation, thereby helping to improve heart health
- It can reduce “bad” cholesterol in a person’s system
- It boosts energy levels
What are the health benefits of eating dark chocolate?
From improving the body’s levels of blood sugar to reducing inflammation, helping to improve mood, skin health, and helping the gut’s microbiome, there are enormous health benefits of dark chocolate. This is in addition to the health benefits listed above.
However, when it comes to consuming dark chocolate, make sure that you go for one with the highest cocoa content so that you can reap all the benefits. Other chocolate varieties, such as milk or white chocolate, do not have the same health benefits and should be consumed in moderation.
What does chocolate milk do to your body?
If you are someone who enjoys a chocolate treat in liquid form, you may wonder what chocolate milk does to your body. Are there any health benefits of consuming this divine drink? And if so, what are they? The good news is that having a sip or three of chocolate milk can be good for your bone health, muscle mass, and endurance. That’s because of the high calcium content in milk.
But that’s not all. Chocolate milk is also known to have protein, Vitamin D, electrolytes, and other minerals, making for a healthy treat. Again, it’s worth mentioning that you need to consume healthy milk quantities, preferably adding dark chocolate flavors to the milk for maximum health effects.
Is white chocolate healthy?
Having spoken about dark chocolate, let’s turn to white chocolate and see is white chocolate healthy. To do this, we need to look at the major components or ingredients that make up white chocolate. Often, these are sugar, butter/fat, and milk with little to no cocoa content.
This means that white chocolate’s concentration of flavanols is not as high as dark chocolate. But that doesn’t mean it is without benefits. For example, you can consume moderate quantities of white chocolate and enjoy:
- Cardiovascular benefits, including platelet enhancement
- Regulation of “bad” cholesterol
- Anti-aging benefits that help skin health
- Thickens and protects nerve sheath
- The high dose of calcium is good for bone health
Are there any benefits of eating chocolate at night?
Depending on the chocolate variety you consume before going to bed at night, you can enjoy some important benefits. Firstly, chocolate can make you feel fuller for longer, thus aiding in weight loss management.
Secondly, chocolate can have a relaxing effect on your body, thus helping you sleep more soundly. And lastly, it’s a good way to help improve your mood.
What are the advantages of eating chocolate?
There are many advantages to eating chocolate in moderation. We have already covered some of the health benefits of consuming dark chocolate and white chocolate. But overall, you can expect to strengthen and improve your:
- Heart health
- Immune system
- Brain function
- Skin health
- Gut health
What are the disadvantages of eating chocolate?
Just like most things in life, too much of a good thing can actually be bad for you. So, let’s look at a few of the disadvantages of consuming too much chocolate and chocolate of the wrong type. Examples of some issues you might face include:
- Acne
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
Conclusion
When it comes to consuming chocolate, you always want to do so in moderation. Enjoy and savor every moment while it’s melting in your mouth or while you’re crunching away at it. And for optimal health benefits, consider consuming dark chocolate with the highest possible cocoa content to be on the safe side.
Chocolate shouldn’t be a guilty pleasure. It should be something you look forward to and enjoy as a treat from time to time. And choosing the right chocolate variety can help boost your health in many ways. Here at Totally Chocolate, we offer chocolate varieties of all kinds, perfect for every palate.
And if you’re unsure of which one is right for you, why not try them all to determine what your favorite chocolate is? Our team is always happy to help you pick the right chocolate for you or for others as gifts. Simply reach out to us and we’d be happy to assist.
