dark chocolate has health benefits

Question

eating dark chocolate gives you protection against free radicals, cardiovascular disease, may prevent cancer, and also improves cognitive function. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, increases clotting ability of blood platelets, and it decreases mental impairment.

Comments

believe your claim is accurate based on the source you provided. I also came across research from the National Institute of Health where the author explains that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can help prevent the early onset of cancer. Additionally, dark chocolate may lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease due to a compound called Epicatechin-7-O-glucuronide. So, it’s clear that dark chocolate offers some great health benefits!

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While I'm a little skeptical of the lack of sources within your source verifying their information, the claim appears to be accurate according to multiple medical health and government sites: dark chocolate, in moderation, has many health benefits.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9589144/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-benefits-of-having-a-healthy-relationship-with-chocolate

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Interesting fact check, why did you use an article on a popcorn website, rather than an actual health website?

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I think that your claim is 100% accurate and I especially liked the source you provided for the readers. I think that you could have given us more sources than just the one and sources from trusted sites at that. Though I do think that what you claim is correct.

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Your response is well written and persuasive, though I am not sure that the source you used is the most reliable. It is really just a bunch of claims/facts but without evidence or mention of studies.

Answer 1

Hello!

The main claim that dark chocolate has health benefits is true. However, its important to consider the exaggeration within the article with claims like, considered one of the top-ranking superfoods. In researching that claim I found no matches. Some of the supporting arguments also have arguable accuracy. According to the Harvard article, "dark chocolate is best choice for health—but don’t turn it into medicine, Cocoa powder contains flavonoids, substances that are full of antioxidants and may help lower the risk of some chronic diseases and improve mood and cognition." The article goes further to explain "the darker chocolate is, the more likely it is to be high in flavonoids and low in sugar, and to not contain added fats. White chocolate is the least healthy variety as it contains no cocoa and is high in fats and sugar." This goes to show that the generalization in the claim made that "dark chocolate contains high amounts of flavanols... [which has] been linked to protecting the heart from cardiovascular diseases "is misleading. Another source, the Washington post warns us that "you won’t get the same benefits if you eat too much of the wrong kind of chocolate. Many of our favorite chocolates, including those found in many red, heart-shaped boxes, are ultra-processed candy full of added sugar, milk and tropical oils, or even milk or white chocolate." All in all this primary claim may be true but the article is misleading. 

The Harvard school of public health is reputable. There was also a quote from a professor which demonstrates a valid contribution. As for the Washington Post article, the writer is a Washington-based freelance writer who specializes in health, science and the environment. She was a Washington reporter for the Los Angeles Times covering public health, biomedical research policy, and food and drug regulation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/02/13/chocolate-health-benefits/

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/dark-chocolate-health-flavonoids/

Answer 2

Fact Checking the claim “Dark Chocolate has Health Benefits”, I have found it to be true. The article was posted on the website “Popcorn for the People”, and after further research I found this to be a popcorn company. The article goes on to cite hsph.harvard.edu, stating the various health benefits of dark chocolate. Among these include better heart health, antioxidants, cancer prevention, and improved cognitive function. After researching hsph.harvard.edu on my own, I have found this source to be quite trustable. The source comes from a school of public health that describes itself as research driven, and striving to develop solutions to health problems. Thus, I have no doubts the school has done research into the benefits of dark chocolate. Furthermore, I have found all the benefits of dark chocolate that were mentioned in the article to be confirmed by other sources. After researching, I found an article from Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, a site dedicated to health, confirming these benefits. It mentions how dark chocolate contains flavanols, which benefits your heart and overall cardiovascular system. Additionally, dark chocolate has minerals and antioxidants. The article cites these benefits from Devon Peart, a dietitian. Research led me to find Peart to be a registered dietician, as well as a private practice nutrition coach. Thus, she is a reliable source.

Answer 3

While it is true that dark chocolate does provide protection against cancer and cardiovascular disease as well as other health benefits, it is also high in calories. If too much dark chocolate is consumed it can be detrimental to your health. Also, major chocolate brands such as Hershey and Lily's have faced legal action after traces of lead and cadmium were found in its dark chocolate products.

Sources:

https://milberg.com/news/hersheys-dark-chocolate-lead-cadmium/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dark-chocolate#insulin-resistance

Comments

I did not know Hershey's had traces of lead and cadmium found in its dark chocolate! I wonder how many other major dark chocolate brands are like this?

Answer 4

The claim that dark chocolate does have health benefits is true. However it is good to still eat it in moderation. In the article I found by University of California Davis showed that Dark chocolate does have many different health benefits. “Most dark chocolate is rich in plant chemicals called flavanols. Flavanols are antioxidants linked to a lower risk of heart disease.” It can reduce cardiovascular disease, and could help prevent types of cancer. The article also states that dark chocolate is a good source of soluble fiber, vitamins, and minerals (like iron, zinc, and magnesium). I would agree with this claim that dark chocolate has health benefits. 

https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/dark-chocolate-health-benefits-the-good-and-the-bad-to-this-sweet-treat/2023/02#:~:text=In%20recent%20years%2C%20chocolates%20%E2%80%93%20specifically,lower%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease.&text=In%20theory%2C%20dark%20chocolate%20will,content%20(greater%20health%20benefit).

Answer 5

This claim is true, there are some benefits to eating dark chocolate. I found an article from Healthline that shares many of the points in this article, including the point that dark chocolate contains flavonoids that combat free radicals, and that dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure. Another article from John Hopkins Medicine reaffirms that dark chocolate has helpful antioxidants, keeps the heart healthy, and assists brain functions. Both sources also state that dark chocolate should be enjoyed in moderation.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-benefits-of-having-a-healthy-relationship-with-chocolate

Answer 6

The claim of dark chocolate having health benefits is true, to an extent. Dark chocolate is a desert with added sugars and plenty of calories, however it is proven to be a healthier alternative to milk or white chocolate. An article from the University of California Davis states dark chocolate contains flavanols, an antioxidant strongly believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and have even been shown to lower blood pressure. An article from “Healthline” claims this increased blood flow may also affect the brain, improving cognitive function. Dark chocolate can also be rich in the vital minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and iron. In summary, moderated amounts of dark chocolate can be a healthier, alternative treat.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/dark-chocolate-health-benefits-the-good-and-the-bad-to-this-sweet-treat/2023/02

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dark-chocolate-health-benefits

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate

Answer 7

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate 

"Eating dark chocolate with high cocoa content in moderation can deliver antioxidants and minerals and may help protect you from heart disease. But it may also contain high amounts of sugar and calories." (healthline)

Mixed results, pros and cons including health benefits and downsides. 

Answer 8

The claim that “Dark chocolate has health benefits” is true. Many articles state that eating dark chocolate can improve your health. I would also like to share that dark chocolate shares important minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. There are antioxidants in the chocolate that improve blood flow and protect your skin from sun damage (more information below). It has also been found dark chocolate can increase your mood.

Something to keep in mind though, is that you should eat dark chocolate on a moderate level because having too much is not good for your body. The recommended amount of dark chocolate that could be eaten per day is about 1 to 2 ounces. It is recommended to choose the chocolate with the highest proportion of cacao.

Sources used: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dark-chocolate-health-benefits https://lec.org/blog/health/how-much-dark-chocolate-can-i-eat-every-day/

More information about how dark chocolate can protect your skin: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19735513/

Answer 9

Dark chocolate does have health benefits! Dark chocolate includes 3 times as much flavanols as milk chocolate. Flavanols are also found in large amounts in leafy vegetables, onions, apples, berries, cherries, soybeans, and citrus fruits. Flavanols improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure which dresses risk for heart disease and is needed for good cognition. Dark chocolate includes polyphenolic compounds which are antioxidants that lower cortisol which relates to stress, improving mood. But dark chocolate also contains caffeine (a much smaller amount found in coffee though) and a significant amount of saturated fats which can have negative health effects. This study lists multiple benefits of dark chocolate including stimulation brain function, anti inflammatory effect, and maintenance of healthy lipid profile. 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dark-chocolate-health-benefits

study

Answer 10

Jason Katz's article mentions tons of health benefits dark chocolate provides, highlighting abilities like strengthening the cardiovascular system and preventing cancer. Despite lots of the things he mentioned being true, the article doesn't provide much specific evidence coorelating to its claims. After completing some research, it was confirmed that there were health benefits relating to dark chocolate, as long as it was in moderation. In conclusion, all the information used was true, it just wasn't as evidence-based as it should've been.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/dark-chocolate-health-benefits-the-good-and-the-bad-to-this-sweet-treat/2023/02#:~:text=Dark%20chocolate%20is%20also%20a,eat%20one%20right%20after%20another.