The Benefits of Chocolate

Walk into most stores this time of year, and all you see is chocolate. I must admit, I love chocolate and eat some every day (everything in moderation, right?). This week is American Chocolate Week, and in celebration of this week, let’s talk about the health benefits of chocolate.

What is it about chocolate?

Cocoa and cocoa products contain flavanols, which are a group of polyphenols, or nutrients, that are found in foods that you can’t find in a supplement. Foods containing these nutrients can act as antioxidants (like some vitamins) in our bodies and protect us from heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. Some studies even link flavanol consumption and brain health! Interestingly, the bitterness of cocoa (along with wine and tea) is from the flavanols. So even though that dark chocolate may taste bitter, it’s a reminder that the item has some good nutrients in it!

Which kind of chocolate is better for you?

Dark chocolate! Although dark chocolate, per ounce, has more total fat and saturated fat than milk chocolate and white chocolate, it has more cocoa, which means more flavanols. Unfortunately, white chocolate does not contain polyphenols, so there really aren’t many health benefits to eating white chocolate.

Hot Chocolate Recipe

One recipe that I’d like to share with you is my “Hot Cocoa Concoction”, which is high in calcium, flavanols, and low in fat and sugar: (about 100 calories, 10 grams of protein, 1 gram of total fat, 2 grams of fiber)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup skim milk
• 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 cup water (how much depends on whether you like your hot cocoa rich or not)
• 1-2 packets of noncalorie sweetener (I use Sweet-n-low)

Directions:

1. Boil water or heat milk in the microwave for a minute.
2. Mix together the cocoa, milk, and non-calorie sweetener.
3. Add in the water when it’s done boiling.
4. Enjoy!

So this week, take some time (if you like chocolate) to enjoy a piece of dark chocolate!

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