Dark Chocolate has health benefits

Question

The idea that dark chocolate offers health benefits has been a topic of discussion for a while. The reason for this debate stems from the idea that dark chocolate has flavonoids, particularly epicatechin, which are known antioxidants that increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure. These benefits do depend on the cocoa content however, dark chocolate with 70% cocoa is said to maximize flavonoids. The main issue with the statement that dark chocolate may be good for your health is that major dark chocolate brands, which are known commercial products, contain a lot of sugars and fats that essentially offset the health benefits. So even though dark chocolate has health benefits if not eaten in moderation and if you eat bad dark chocolate, there are no benefits.

Answer 1

Dark chocolate can have huge health benefits made from the seed of a cocoa tree with one of the best sources of antioxidants you can find. The only way to access these benefits is to find quality dark chocolate which contains about 70% cocoa. The cocoa in dark chocolate can help lead you away from heart disease but you need to be careful because of the calories and sugar it contains. Dark chocolate can help you, but you need to keep track of how much you eat because if you eat too much, the bad can outweigh the good.

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

Answer 2

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9589144/

Eating dark chocolate has the ability to lower the rate of high blood pressure in the average population. It also reduces insulin resistance, leading to lower risk of diabetes, and lower stress, which is also linked to a longer life span. (Grassi et al., 2005b, 2008)

According to UCDavis, another study found that some dark chocolate brands were linked to having metals inside the chocolate itself like lead, which leads to slower metabolism and hurts the immune system. Also, many brands have a surplus of added sugar and calories that outweigh the positive health effects it otherwise could have.

When having dark chocolate, it is important to make sure the brand you are using is as close to pure dark chocolate as possible so to extract the most positive health benefits. 

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

Answer 3

I'm curious as to why you used Healthline as your source for this post, when the National Library of Medicine (NIH) has the same information except it's broken down a little more into the methods used and the different chemicals that reveal the health benefits from dark chocolate. And dark chocolate is shown to have many vitamins and biochemicals that result in positive health benefits as well. An article from UC Davis Health also revealed that sugars and fats are not the issue with dark chocolate, but heavy metals such as Cadmium and Lead is what is concerning for dark chocolate users.

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9589144/

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

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/

Answer 4

Dark chocolate contains flavanols, which are plant nutrients that improve blood flow and help regulate blood pressure. Researchers at universities like Harvard found modest cardiovascular benefits with small quantities of high cocoa content (70% and above). Nonetheless, because most commercial dark chocolates have an abundance of added sugars and heavy processing, not all products have these benefits.

Dark Chocolate - The Nutrition Source

Answer 5

I believe dark chocolate is genuinely healthy, and calling it such isn't misleading to consumers. Many people who choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate do so because of its health benefits, and completely avoiding chocolate could actually reduce quality of life and contribute to negative body image. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that support heart health, flavanols that improve blood flow to the brain and boost cognitive function, and epicatechin, which helps strengthen cells against disease. When eaten in moderation, the benefits of dark chocolate far outweigh any potential downsides.

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

Answer 6

I have heard of dark chocolate being a better option for people but saying that it is healthy is a little misleading. Talking about all the great things dark chocolate can do for people seems great in theory until you actually read the article almost all the way down to the bottom where it states that it also contains sugar which can have the opposite effect, implying that it is bad for you. There is nothing after this fact that tries to show that even though it was sugar there are more pros and cons. In the health of UC Davis article they talk more about the science behind the chocolate which gives people more reassurance and has better evidence in general.

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

Answer 7

The claim that dark chocolate is healthy is supported by several things, like factors described in this claim and also factors supported by sources such as Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dark chocolate contains many antioxidants, particularly flavonoids like epicatechin, which could contribute to heart health by improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Flavanols, another type of flavonoid, are known to enhance blood flow to the brain, potentially aiding in cognitive function. Additionally, epicatechin can strengthen cells against various ailments.

But, as with everything else it is important to consume dark chocolate in moderation and always try to choose products with high cocoa content and a minimal amount of sugars added and also unhealthy fats to maximize all these benefits. While dark chocolate can offer health advantages, over consumption or choosing products with high sugar and fat content can take away these benefits. Therefore, always maintaining a balanced approach is very important to enjoying the health benefits of dark chocolate without experiencing the downsides.

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

Answer 8

This claim seems to be true. The article states how dark chocolate can offer health benefits and that chocolate contains flavonoids, which are known antioxidants. When doing some research of my own, I also found that dark chocolate contains flavonoids which can lower the risk of heart disease. This claim seems to be truthful as the source I found from UC Davis wrote about how dark chocolate contains all of these chemicals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. Between the article they are making the claim from and the source I found, they had many similarities that support this claim.

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

Answer 9

The person that made this claim used a reliable source. Dark chocolate is often thought to be good for your health because it has flavonoids, like epicatechin, which help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. But to get the most benefits, dark chocolate should have at least 70% cocoa. The problem is that many popular dark chocolate brands are loaded with sugar and fat, which can cancel out the health benefits. So, while dark chocolate can be healthy, it needs to be eaten in moderation and with a high cocoa content. Healthline, a trusted source, backs up these claims with reliable research.

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

Answer 10

Dark chocolate is healthy and does have some benefits. According to a blog from UC Davis, dark chocolate is healthy and has the benefit of a high content of a plant chemical called Flavanol. Flavanol is an antioxidant that has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Dark chocolate also contains high amounts of soluble fibers and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. As far as this goes, of course, eating too much dark chocolate won't be good for anyone, but healthy portions do have benefits.