Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Is There a Downside to Eating Chocolate?


You've heard a lot of hoopla about how good chocolate is for your health. Indeed, studies show that chocolate could be good for you. But before running out and stocking up, let's take a closer look. Is chocolate really all that good? Or is there a downside to eating chocolate? Let's take a closer look.

On the good side: Studies show that eating 1.6 ounces of dark chocolate could be good for you. The magic of dark chocolate is that it contains a large amount of powerful compounds called flavonoids, have been proven to protect the heart and blood vessels. Dark chocolate can also help to boost your immune system as well as lift your mood.

With all of those health benefits, does that mean you should sit down and pack in a whole box of your favorite chocolate covered candy or a handful of chocolate bars?

To answer that question, you must know that not all chocolate is created equal. In fact, most of the chocolate bars you buy in your local supermarket are loaded with sugar and fat, which puts them high on the list of high-calorie foods. And they are also likely to contain less than 50 percent of the health-promoting flavonoids found in dark chocolate.

So, the downside of eating chocolate is simply this: Eating chocolate candy bars can lead to an excessive intake of calories from sugar and fat. This could be bad for you, particularly if you are overweight, or if you have diabetes, heart disease or other condition for which you must cut calories, sugar or fat.

The information provided on this blog is for information and education only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. See your personal healthcare provided for treatment of any medical condition that you might have. And consult a registered dietitian about making changes to your diet when necessary.

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