Dark chocolate is still candy, so it adds calories, fat, and sugar to what you eat. Carrying extra weight can raise your risk of some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term conditions. The news isn't all grim, though. Below are four ways that enjoying dark chocolate may support your health:
- May lower cholesterol. Eaten regularly as part of a balanced, low-fat diet, dark chocolate (which supplies plant sterols and cocoa flavanols) may help your heart by bringing down cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Smaller amounts of chocolate may also cut your odds of developing diabetes.
- May cut your heart attack risk. Eating chocolate might reduce the chance of developing heart disease by about a third, at least based on research shared at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Paris, France.
- May lower your stroke risk.Canadian researchers studied 44,489 people and discovered that chocolate eaters were 22 percent less likely to have a stroke than those who avoided it. Among people who did have a stroke yet ate chocolate regularly, the chance of dying during follow-up was 46 percent lower.
- May help prevent memory decline. A researcher at Harvard Medical School found that two cups of hot chocolate daily could help preserve brain health and slow memory decline in older adults. Better blood flow to certain areas of the brain may explain the effect.
Any downsides? Unfortunately, chocolate is associated with a high calorie count, and has lots of sugar. So if you are trying to lose or maintain your weight, set a limit on the chocolate consumption. In addition, the sugar in the chocolate can lead to tooth decay or even poorer bone density and strength. Given the pros and cons of chocolate, if you are a consumer, please eat it only in moderation. Aim for high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa. And if you really want more antioxidants, hit the produce aisle at the market. There you will find some fruits and vegetables that are chock full of cancer risk-reducing antioxidants and phytochemical. I’m Dr. Michael Hunter.
