Cracking open the myths about chocolate
Easter is around the corner, which means a free ticket to eat lots of chocolate! Not a good thing no doubt, or is it? Get the lowdown on chocolate fact and fiction.
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Chocolate is the favourite slightly guilt-laden indulgence for most people, particularly around Valentine’s Day and Easter. Add this to the already completed Xmas/New Year indulgence and you’re probably starting to wonder why you bothered making healthy New Year’s resolutions at all.
The general thought is that the luxury of eating chocolate comes at a steep price! It’s full of sugar caffeine and saturated fat, right?
Well, while this may be partly true, for some time scientists have been singling chocolate out for its positive health attributes rather than its negative ones.
Cracking open those chocolate myths...
There are many misconceptions about chocolate. Below we give you a heads-up on the healthier types of chocolate but first let’s get a few facts straight:Myth #1 – Chocolate is high in caffeine
Chocolate is actually not high in caffeine, relatively speaking. Few foods contain caffeine, and whilst chocolate is one of them it still only contains approximately 6mg of caffeine in a chocolate bar (40g). This is compared to about 50-65mg for a mug of tea or 65-135mg for a mug of coffee. Don’t think any of us would be considering eating 10 chocolate bars in a go, now would we?
Myth #2 – Chocolate is high in saturated fat
Chocolate contains saturated fat, most of which is stearic acid. However, even though stearic acid is a saturated fat, studies have shown that it has little effect on blood cholesterol levels; perhaps because when it is consumed a relatively high proportion is converted to oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat).
Myth #3 – Chocolate causes tooth caries
Chocolate alone does not cause caries. Tooth caries are formed when bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugars and starches from any type of food (soft drinks, candy, juice, bread, rice and pasta) to produce acid. So in fact many foods contribute towards plaque build up which causes tooth decay. Listen to the wise words of the dentist and ‘brush at least twice a day’ to routinely and thoroughly remove the plaque and help prevent caries.
Myth #4 – Chocolate lacks nutritional value and makes you fat
Any food that is energy dense (high in energy for its weight) can contribute towards weight gain. But chocolate alone does not cause weight gain. If it is eaten in moderation and care is taken as to what other energy dense foods are consumed, then it can be included in a healthy diet. Chocolate contains polyphenols which have been shown to have many health benefits including reducing risk of cancer and heart disease.
Myth #5 – Chocolate causes acne
Some people claim that eating a lot of chocolate can bring on acne – a common skin disease characterised by white spots or blackheads over the face, upper chest and back. While there are diets claimed to alleviate the symptoms of acne, no one food can be held responsible for what is a disease influenced by hormones and genetics. According to the Acne Resource Centre, hormones, overactive oil glands, heredity and dead skin cells that lodge in skin pores are what cause acne, not chocolate!
Healthy chocolate, is there such a thing?
Dark chocolate is particularly high in polyphenols – nutrients from plant sources that have been shown to have many health benefits. Cocoa flavonoids, most notably catechins, play a role in inhibiting many inflammatory processes that cause numerous diseases.Milk chocolate is a good source of calcium and both types of chocolate (more so dark chocolate) provide the body with a source of antioxidants. Also, let’s not forget chocolate’s ability to boost morale.
Can chocolate be eaten as part of a healthy diet?
Yes! In moderation, chocolate can be eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Indeed, not everyone likes dark chocolate, which should be preferred if possible. If that’s the case, then milk chocolate can still be part of a healthy diet, but perhaps in smaller amounts, as milk chocolate is higher in sugar and fats than its darker counterpart.Just be aware that chocolate is an energy dense food and to take into consideration the other foods and drinks you consume during the day so you don't go right over the top of the calorie counter.
That is, after all, why it's called a balanced diet!
Aimee Matthews
More information:
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