Dark Chocolate: Benefit or Excuse?

There is no secret that regular fruit, vegetables, and whole grains consumption have many benefits for our health.  Recently, there has been more and more talk that chocolate may also have a positive effect on our health.

The theory that the dark chocolate has good effects on the body comes from the fact that this type of chocolate is rich in cocoa, which has large amounts of flavonoids with antioxidant actions. The products rich in flavonoids may decrease the levels of cholesterol, prevent inflammations, protect the cardiovascular system, and prevent the development of certain types of cancer.

Flavonoids can also inhibit diarrhea, according to recent studies. The traditional usage for cocoa includes treating anorexia, breathing disorders, fatigue, headaches, muscular weakness, and maintaining the health of the kidneys, heart, pancreas, and liver. These substances from cocoa are also found in apples, onion, green tea, peanuts, and bilberries.

Although black chocolate contains flavonoids, it also has large amounts of saturated fats and their consumption may lead to increased levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, and higher risk to suffer from coronary disease. You should pay attention when you choose the dark chocolate. You may want to avoid dark chocolate with peanuts or caramel, because these two products may inhibit the action of flavonoids.

However, no clinical trial supports the fact that regular consumption or high amounts of dark chocolate may be healthy for the body. People should remember that flavonoids may be found in apples, bilberries, green tea, or broccoli and most times the dark chocolate intake is more likely an excuse rather than a preoccupation for a healthier diet.