Chocolate of almost any kind is a universal favorite candy to satisfy a sweet tooth. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s especially obvious how popular the creamy, rich, and decadent flavors of this treat are. What is your favorite? Are you partial to milk, dark, or white chocolate? Do you prefer it by the bar, drizzled over ice cream, spread atop your favorite cake, or covering a juicy strawberry? You are not alone in craving it often and want to indulge yourself. However, the age-old debate continues, is chocolate good for me?
Milk vs. Dark
Milk Chocolate is made up of butter, sugar, and heavy cream, which provides a substantial number of non-nutritive calories from the sugar and a considerable amount of fat from the butter and cream. The fat is mostly saturated, which we know as the type of fat that causes elevated blood cholesterol and contributes to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Eaten in excess, it could sabotage weight loss efforts and may even lead to diabetes or tooth decay in both children and adults.
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
On the contrary, dark chocolate is made mostly from the seed of the cocoa tree. It contains less sugar, fat, and little to no milk solids. It’s richer in color and doesn’t taste nearly as sweet as its delicious counterpart. Like milk chocolate, moderation is the key with dark chocolate as well, but there are definite advantages to enjoying dark over milk.
How to Select the Best Dark Chocolate
The darker, the better. Select one that is 70% or higher in total cocoa content. It’s best to also choose one with as few ingredients as possible. Sugar will be found on the list of ingredients, but make sure it’s not first on the list. The brands with the lowest sugar content will have sugar listed last to indicate that there is very little added. High-quality dark chocolate should not have any milk added to it. Avoid any options that contain trans-fat on the label. Ingredients such as partially hydrogenated oil is a source, so don’t be tricked.
Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate
- Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can make a positive impact on your health. It is one of the most powerful antioxidants on the planet. Good-quality dark chocolate is a rich source of soluble fiber and contains minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.
- Flavanols much like those found in fruits and vegetables are in dark chocolate. These have been associated with lowering the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
- Dark chocolate can improve brain function. Much like how it improves blood flow through the arteries to keep them clear to benefit cardiac health, dark chocolate also improves blood flow to the brain. It can also significantly improve cognition, especially in those with impaired cognition or elderly folks. Caffeine is a factor in improving brain health as well. But don’t worry, there’s probably not enough caffeine in chocolate to keep you up at night.
Protecting Yourself From Dental Decay and Cavities
All the talk about candy might have you wondering about the effect chocolate may have on your teeth. Chocolate is not as bad for your teeth as you may think. When it comes to eating sweets and keeping your teeth healthy, it’s all about time. The longer sugar and bacteria stay in your mouth, the more likely plaque will form and, in time, contribute to tooth decay. Chewy treats and hard candies stick around a lot longer than chocolate does; therefore, it is worse to consume regularly than chocolate, which washes down rather quickly. As mentioned above, moderation is key, and dark is better than milk when it comes to chocolate due to the lower sugar content.
Remember, after any meal or treat to brush your teeth. If you aren't somewhere able to brush, give your mouth a good couple of swishes with water to help clear out any remaining food particles as best you can. Make sure to see your dentist or hygienist at least once a year. Enjoy your chocolate this Valentine’s Day!