Chocolate - The Good and Bad News

CalorieKing.com Staff



While chocolate has been enjoyed for centuries, over recent years there has been much speculation and scientific interest in whether chocolate is good or bad for you. Here's a breakdown of the latest good and bad news, so you can make up your own mind!



The good news



Chocolate contains antioxidants
Chocolate is rich in antioxidants which means that, as part of a balanced, varied diet, it can contribute to good health. Antioxidants are found in all foods, but good sources of particularly beneficial antioxidants include tea, red wine and all fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants can help maintain good circulation and a healthy heart, and contribute to the prevention of heart attack and stroke. Studies have also shown that antioxidants may help to prevent or delay some types of cancer.
It's important to note that dark chocolate contains around four times more antioxidants than milk chocolate.

Chocolate may lower cholesterol levels
Chocolate contains high levels of saturated fats, one of which is called stearic acid. Research shows that stearic acid does not raise blood cholesterol levels, while some studies have suggested that stearic acid may actually help the body break down cholesterol build up.

Chocolate may make you live longer
A recent study of 7,800 male Harvard graduates found that the chocolate eaters lived nearly a year longer than those who abstained! The participants who ate a moderate amount of chocolate – one to three chocolate bars a month – fared the best, with a 36 percent lower risk of death than non-chocolate eaters. Of course, this is only one study and the scientists involved classed the results as “preliminary”.

Chocolate doesn't give you pimples
Contrary to popular belief, chocolate doesn't cause acne. According to the American Medical Association, "Diet plays no role in acne treatment for most patients…even large amounts of chocolate have not clinically exacerbated acne."

Chocolate won't rot your teeth
Chocolate may actually protect your teeth – it contains substances that work to prevent the formation of cavities. Milk chocolate in particular appears to protect tooth enamel. Because chocolate melts and leaves the mouth quite quickly, it doesn't leave any residue stuck in the teeth. This only applies to plain chocolate though – nuts, caramel and nougat are a different story!

Chocolate can give you an energy boost
An average chocolate bar has 15 to 30 mg of caffeine, in comparison to a cup of instant coffee, which has about 45 mg. However, the energy rush most people experience after eating a bar of chocolate is generally due to its high sugar content. Children may get more of a buzz out of the caffeine in chocolate bars than adults due to their smaller bodyweight.

The bad news



Chocolate is high in fat
Fifty-five percent of the calories in chocolate come from fat. In each 100 gram block of chocolate there are 30 grams of fat, or six teaspoons. This is important to consider when you're trying to lose weight or maintain your weight with a healthy, low-fat diet.
Dietitian Allan Borushek says: "Just keep in mind that a 1.55 oz Hershey’s block of chocolate contains some 230 calories and 13 grams of fat."

Chocolate won't help your love life
Throughout history, chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac. The ancient Aztec Emperor, Montezuma, is said to have drunk a goblet of chocolate every night before entering his harem.
Despite this kind of association, researchers haven't been able to identify anything in chocolate that arouses romantic intentions. Although the chemical phenylethylamine which is found in chocolate does play a part in emotional arousal, scientists have been unable to prove that eating chocolate actually effects the levels of this chemical in the brain.

The bottom line



Moderation is, as always, the key. Indulge in small amounts of chocolate once in a while but don't go overboard.
However, some people find that moderation is all very well in theory but difficult to put into practice, but there are a couple of things you can do to keep cravings at bay:



The four Ds
You may find that you use chocolate to fill an emotional need. If this sounds like you, try to implement the 'Four Ds' – a system used in smoking cessation programs to help smokers relieve the need for a cigarette, even when they're desperate:

• Delay for a few minutes and the urge will pass
• Drink water, sip it slowly
• Deep breathe by taking three slow breaths
• Do something else to take your mind off eating

Go dark!
Have just a few squares of dark chocolate instead of a whole lot of milk chocolate. Some people find that dark chocolate is far more satisfying than milk chocolate, particularly those brands that have 70 per cent cocoa solids.

One CalorieKing.com member who suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome found that just two squares of 70% cocoa chocolate each afternoon gave her a welcome pick-me-up. Previously, she'd been eating at least a block, if not more, of milk chocolate to receive the same effects, which had led to excessive weight gain.

I do try to stay away from the stuff... But I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!!
sheree

i try not to eat it often but i love dark chocolate.