We've all heard about the harms and benefits of dark chocolate and cocoa. Milk chocolate is a controversial temptation, on the other hand. The reasons are logical – more sugar and more palm oil, which is harmful to the body and can lead to narrowing of the arteries.
The fact is that most people prefer milk to dark chocolate precisely, because of the aforementioned ingredients that make it tastier. But what is the truth, we will talk about that now. Let's look at the benefits and harms of milk chocolate!
Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants that help fight cardiovascular disease. And while in the dark temptation these ingredients are in greater quantity, they are still contained in milk chocolate.
A recent study among more than 20 thousand people, all of whom consumed milk chocolate had a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. This is also due to the popular opinion that chocolate reduces stress - the mineral magnesium has an important role there as well.
Another benefit of milk chocolate – it reduces stress. The sweet temptation reduces the formation of cortisol - the stress hormone. In addition, it stimulates the formation of the hormones endorphin and dopamine, which contribute to the proper function of the brain, good mood and prevents the development of depression.
Chocolate is good for the brain and the entire nervous system. Even milk chocolate contains a large amount of magnesium, which is important for the proper functioning of all systems throughout our body.
However, it is a fact that dark chocolate is more healthy than milk chocolate. Firstly, because of the smaller amount of sugar, secondly - because of the greater amount of cocoa and cocoa butter, thirdly - it is rich in fiber, which is almost not present in the sweeter variation of the cocoa temptation.
One of the benefits of dark chocolate is its rich antioxidant content. A 2011 study compared dark chocolate and cocoa powder to fruit for their concentrated phytonutrient content. The results showed that regular consumption of dark chocolate offers health benefits that exceed those of pomegranate and blueberries.
Cocoa is rich in plant chemicals called flavanols, which may help protect the heart. Dark chocolate contains up to three times more cocoa than milk chocolate. Flavanols have been shown to help relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, thereby lowering blood pressure.
Other observational studies suggest a link between high cocoa or chocolate intake (6 grams per day) and reduced risk of heart disease and death, because it reduces blood pressure and inflammation.
Dark chocolate can also reduce insulin resistance, which is another common risk factor for many diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Important facts about chocolate consumption
No matter what type of chocolate you consume, you should be aware of some basic facts about this product. After all chocolate is a favorite dessert of people of all ages. It is also among the greatest temptations for women of all ages. There are many myths about chocolate. However, let's get acquainted with the indisputable facts related to chocolate consumption.
When milk chocolate is made from real cocoa, it is very healthy. Cocoa beans are full of important vitamins, A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and minerals such as magnesium, calcium, copper, potassium, which the body needs to function at full capacity.
In short, there are 3 aspects to which we must pay special attention: the percentage of cocoa, its quality and what other ingredients milk chocolate contains.
This way, it is good to choose milk chocolate with a high cocoa content (the benefits of chocolate actually refer to those of the cocoa bean), stating that it is of the best quality, preferably organic.
Regarding the ingredients that milk chocolate also contains, it is recommended to avoid assortments that contain a large amount of refined added sugar, as well as other unnatural substances, which are dangerous to health.
I recommend consuming chocolate, because of its beneficial effects on the body, mentioning that we should consume it responsibly, in small quantities, in the first part of the day and this is because the line between the benefits and harms of milk chocolate is very fine. Excess amounts can be observed in extra pounds, in disorders of the glycemic profile, but not only.
Chocolate can be good for your teeth. Dark chocolate, unlike other sweets, can participate in the strengthening of tooth enamel, in conditions of optimal dental hygiene.
Remember - whichever type of chocolate you consume, do it responsibly - because 50 grams of chocolate contain about 300 calories. Be careful about the amount of fat and sugar, too. It's not just the calories that matter, it's also where they come from. Coconut oil is healthy and a true superfood, unlike palm oil, which our bodies don't process and which accumulate and harm it.
If you're already craving something sweet, try this Milk Chocolate Sponge Cake or one of our Chocolate Mousses.
Also read about white chocolate.
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