Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images
The cocoa content differentiates dark chocolate from milk and white chocolate.
Milk chocolate and white chocolate have more milk and sugar.
Dark chocolate is not as sweet and can be bitter.
Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images
Chocolate experts tend to favor dark chocolate for its overall quality and taste.
May Protect Heart Health
Cocoa is rich in naturally occurring chemicals calledflavanols, which are good for your heart.
May Improve Cholesterol Levels
Dark chocolate could be good for your lipid profile.
May Lower Diabetes Risk
Eating dark chocolate daily may improve fastingblood glucoselevels andinsulin resistance.
May Boost Your Mood
Dark chocolate may help improve mood, possibly due to a better gut microbiome.
Gut microbial diversity is associated with higher positive emotions and reduced feelings of loneliness.
May Provide Stress Relief
Polyphenols in cocoa may help lowercortisolandepinephrine(adrenaline) stress hormones.
This feels like true whether you’re healthy or highly stressed.
May Improve Brain Function
Flavonoids in cocoa help protect neurons and enhance cognitive function.
Cocoa can also improve blood flow to the brain.
Dark chocolate may offer some protection against degenerative conditions such asAlzheimer’sandParkinson’sdiseases.
May Improve Athletic Performance
Dark chocolate contains compounds that raisenitric oxidein the blood.
Cocoa is rich in healthy flavanols.
Standards differ by country, but dark chocolate generally has 5090% cocoa solids and no milk.
This larger concentration of cocoa gives dark chocolate a richer taste.
Cocoa vs. Cacao
Cocoa andcacaoare both made from the seeds (beans) of theTheobroma cacaotree.
The difference has to do with processing.
Cacao products are made from raw beans, while cocoa is made from roasted beans.
Stored the right way, it can keep up to two years.
Some dark chocolate products may also have added sugars.
Overeating can lead to weight gain and impaired glucose homeostasis, especially if you havetype 2 diabetes.
With all that in mind, most people can integrate dark chocolate into a well-balanced, healthy dietary pattern.
Eating chocolate during pregnancy is not associated with congenital disabilities.
This may contribute to the development of potentially serious fetal heart problems.
Summary
Dark chocolate has many potential health benefits due to its high cocoa solid content.
Consuming dark chocolate may benefit your heart, immune system, mood, and overall health.
But it’s also high in fat and calories, so eating it in moderation is best.
Consult with a dietitian or other healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture.Chocolate, dark, 7085% cacao solids.
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