Stay away from milk chocolates if you’re trying to improve your gut health. It feels decadent, tastes great, and has researched health benefits () ().One small study showed participants ate less junk food after eating dark chocolate. Its intense flavour also ensures that you won't be smashing a family block in one sitting. It’s full bodied in taste and has been exceptionally crafted to be smooth, rich and balanced. Dark chocolate contains 50-90% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, whereas milk chocolate contains anywhere from 10-50% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, milk in some form, and sugar. And, since it’s already broken into pieces for you, it’s super easy to share. The cocoa in dark chocolate also contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which may provide several health benefits. Dark Chocolate: Hunnes points out that different brands of dark chocolate can contain different amounts of cacao, which as we’ve mentioned, is the real decider of how healthy any type of chocolate is. Yes, dark chocolate has compounds that offer health benefits and can be enjoyed without guilt, even on a daily basis. This did not happen with milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is incredibly healthy and nutritious. It’s naturally gluten free and makes for a great pairing snack for a wine tasting. 5. Dark chocolate is brimming with antioxidants and heart-healthy properties, research finds. Generally speaking, though, dark chocolate contains more cocoa than the following types of chocolate. Another top quality, super dark chocolate bar from the masters of Swiss chocolate, the Lindt Excellence 90% is a great clean and healthy dark chocolate to turn to. Here, you’ll find many ways to enjoy dark chocolate in health-conscious cookies, snacks, and easy dessert recipes. We’ve even found some healthy dark chocolate recipes for breakfast, too! Rejoice! Tuesday, April 05, 2011 by: James Schreiber Tags: dark chocolate, antioxidants, health news Dark chocolate may also improve the function of your brain. It’s become the snack of choice for healthy eaters.. For good reason. Although the sweeter kinds taste best, they are not the healthiest. Researchers with the University of L’Aquila in Italy determined that subjects who consumed one bar of dark chocolate daily saw a 50% drop in insulin resistance! However, there are many brands available and not all of them are created equal. Lindt dark chocolate is the OG of healthy supermarket desserts – high in heart-friendly flavonoids and low in sugar. Dark chocolate is rich in minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc.
The higher the percentage of cocoa the less sweet stuff you'll find in the fine print, with the 85% cocoa option only containing 2.2 grams of sugar per serve. Chocolate can be your friend. Chocolate and its main ingredient, cocoa, appear to reduce risk factors for heart disease. Heart-healthy pumpkin seeds and almonds make this fair-trade dark chocolate even tastier—and even better for you.
Still, chocolate's reputation is on the rise, as a growing number of studies suggest that it can be a heart-healthy choice. Dark chocolate is available year-round and gives you good stuff like zinc, magnesium, and iron that are going to help keep your immune system (and your awesome heart) strong. But the portion size matters, since too many bites can contribute extra fat… Expert Content. Nutritionally, dark chocolate is your best bet because it's lowest in sugar and supplies beneficial antioxidants that are present in much smaller doses in milk and white chocolate. An ounce of dark chocolate contains 164 calories and 10.86 grams of fat, of which 6.25 grams are saturated. Dark chocolate: once considered a rare treat is now mainstream.