• Question: people say that dark chocolate is good for you is it true?

    Asked by cheesecakegirl to Adam, Joanna, Louise S, Louise W, Marcus on 20 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Louise Stanley

      Louise Stanley answered on 20 Nov 2012:

      Yes and No! One theory is that chocolate contains flavanols (dark chocolate should contain more than milk as it as a higher amount of cocoa mass but sometimes the processing removes the flavanols as it is what gives the chocolate its bitter taste) and these flavanols cause the body to produce nitric oxide which is thought to “relax” blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and reduce blood pressure (which is good right?) But chocolate also contains other ingredients such as fat and sugar which are not so good for the body so there are better ways to reduce blood pressure – foods such as apricots and apples also contain flavanols (at lower levels) but don’t come with the unhealthy extras! Although chocolate also promotes the body to produce the happy hormone seratonin which is why so many people enjoy eating it! So yes enjoy – but in moderation! 🙂

    • Photo: Marcus Wilson

      Marcus Wilson answered on 20 Nov 2012:

      theres a not so seriuos study about chocolate consumption and nobel prizes. The doctor found that countries with higher chocolate consumption roughly produce more nobel prize winners! ( http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMon1211064). of course this didnt take into account any other variables for these countries so its not so helpful.

      so maybe it helps intelligence too!

    • Photo: Louise Walkin

      Louise Walkin answered on 20 Nov 2012:

      I think in general people say it is better for you than milk chocolate or white chocolate becuase of the higher cocoa content. It has been thought to lower blood pressure because of the presence of flavanols which relax blood vessels. It also contains phenylethylamine which encourages your brain to release endorphins which makes you feel happier! It has also been found to be full of antioxidants which help to prevent damage to cells. Chocolate does have a high amount of sugar so it’s probably best to eat it in moderation. Although it is very hard when it just tastes so delicious! 🙂

    • Photo: Joanna Giles

      Joanna Giles answered on 20 Nov 2012:

      The others are all right – I think everything in moderation and it’s always best to have a variety. I find that eating dark chocolate satisfies me more quickly than milk chocolate (as Louise said, because there is more cocoa) so I tend to eat less. I think I’ve said in another question though that chocolate can help you feel happier and less anxious – because of the endorphins (especially seratonin) that is released as a result. I think that’s why if you are down sometimes your body craves chocolate 🙂

    • Photo: Adam Paige

      Adam Paige answered on 20 Nov 2012:

      Hey, look at that. You ask a question about chocolate with a name like cheesecakegirl and we all answer!

      there are some good properties of chocolate (and I am speaking as a frequent consumer myself), but do not overdo it. Many of the common illnesses of middle age and old age are caused or made worse by being badly overweight (diabetes, heart disease, lung disease), and of course too much sugar causes tooth decay and loss.

      On the other hand, being too skinny and not eating enough is also bad for our health. We need a balanced diet with meat, vegetable, fruit, fibre…and of course chocolate!

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