Chocolate comes in a wide variety of flavors. But whether white, dark or milk chocolate – all varieties have one thing in common: chocolate is not exactly healthy, because it contains a lot of fat and sugar and thus also many calories. However, cocoa powder also contains certain substances that can have a positive effect on blood pressure and our heart health. This effect is particularly great when snacking on dark chocolate, as it contains an extremely high amount of cocoa powder.
Chocolate: calories and ingredients
Chocolate is rich in fat and sugar and therefore, first of all, anything but healthy. Depending on whether it is white, milk or dark chocolate, the ingredients can vary slightly. What all varieties have in common, however, is that they contain a relatively large number of calories. On average, one bar contains 500 to 550 calories. This already covers a quarter of the daily calorie requirement of an adult.
- White chocolate represents the unhealthiest of the three varieties. It has on average the most calories and also contains the most sugar: in 100 grams are about 63 grams of sugar and 30 grams of fat.
- Milk chocolate has a similar number of calories, but with 57 grams already contains a little less sugar. Their fat content is with 29.5 grams but similarly high.
- Dark chocolate is the healthiest choice in comparison: with just under 500 calories, it contains namely circa 50 calories less than the other two varieties. In addition, it contains “only” 44 grams of sugar, but 36 grams of fat.
Does chocolate make you happy?
Chocolate contains various substances that are believed to have a mood-boosting effect. So cocoa powder contains theobromine, which stimulates the circulation similar to caffeine and is also mood-lifting. Phenylethylamine, the cannabinoid anandamide and the serotonin precursor tryptophan also have a mood-lifting effect. However, the mood-lifting effect that the sweet treat is said to have cannot be fully explained by the ingredients mentioned. The effect they have is too small for that. Psychological factors probably also ensure that chocolate makes us happy. Because when we eat it, our reward system is activated and the neurotransmitter dopamine and endorphins are released. 5 Facts about chocolate – Karolina Grabowska / Kaboompics
Positive effect on health
Eating chocolate – especially dark chocolate – can cause the level of heart-protective antioxidants to rise sharply for some time. This is because cocoa powder contains certain flavonoids (epicatechin) that have a positive effect on the heart and blood pressure. They ensure that the vessels become more elastic, thus lowering blood pressure. By the way, those who regularly consume small amounts of dark chocolate are said to be able to reduce not only blood pressure but also the risk of stroke or heart attack. However, flavonoids are also found in other foods, such as apples. The positive effect on blood pressure is therefore no reason to feast on chocolate without restraint.
Risk of obesity and secondary diseases
Even though dark chocolate can have a positive effect on health, you should not forget that chocolate is a sweet that contains a lot of fat, sugar and calories. Those who regularly consume larger amounts significantly increase their risk of obesity and, consequently, cardiovascular disease. In addition, the likelihood of getting tooth decay increases. Healthy or unhealthy?
Chocolate and acne
Whether chocolate can promote the development of acne and pimples has yet to be conclusively determined. However, recent studies suggest that there is a link between the consumption of chocolate and the development of common acne (acne vulgaris).
Dark chocolate only in moderation
Dark chocolate contains less sugar and fewer calories than other types, but you should still consume the sweet only in moderation. This is because dark chocolate contains a particularly large amount of cocoa powder, which – depending on the location of the cocoa tree – can be contaminated with cadmium. This is particularly true of cocoa powder from South America, where cocoa plants often grow on volcanic soil that contains a lot of cadmium. Cadmium is a chemical element that can cause damage to kidneys and bones in larger quantities. The introduction of a limit value for cadmium in chocolate is repeatedly called for, but implementation is still pending.
Harmful aluminum in chocolate
It is also better to limit your chocolate consumption due to the increased aluminum content in cocoa. Aluminum can have a negative effect on the nervous system, fertility and bone development. According to a 2008 opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the average aluminum content of untreated foods is less than five milligrams per kilogram. However, among other things, foods such as cocoa – and accordingly chocolate products – may also have a higher concentration.
