Many of us are fond of this creamy confectionary and there have been various health claims made over the years. In this #HealthyTip we look at chocolate and discuss how it can form part of a balanced and heart-healthy diet.
Chocolate is made with the cocoa bean which contains substances called polyphenols. These contain antioxidants that help protect against heart disease and lower cholesterol. Cocoa beans are processed to make cocoa solids that are used in chocolate. Cocoa solids on their own contain no added sugar and contain some fibre making them heart healthy. However, most chocolate consumed contains lots of added sugar and fat which makes it not so heart healthy.
Dark chocolate is the best option as it contains more cocoa solids (which contain the heart-healthy stuff). The higher the percentage of cocoa solids the better, try to choose ones with 70% cocoa solids or more. Avoid milk and white chocolate as these are low in cocoa solids and high in fat and sugar.
Chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet and there is no need to feel guilty for eating it. The key is to swap it for a healthier version (dark chocolate) and consume it in moderation as it is still high in saturated fat and calories which consumed in excess can lead to weight gain and contribute to high cholesterol and heart diseases.
Sign up to receive our monthly Healthy Tip emails directly to your inbox
Discover ways to look after you heart
Do you know your numbers? Around one in three people in the UK have high blood pressure, and around six million people are unaware that they have it.
Cooking from scratch is important for our health, can benefit our cardiovascular health. In this article, we share practical tips for those looking to start or increase their home cooking.
Amie Leckie, Health and Wellbeing Specialist at Heart Research UK, explores how good nutrition is one of the most important building blocks for a child’s health and offers advice on how to support your child’s heart health.
Did you know that over 66% of the UK population doesn’t drink enough water? Lauren Hewitt, Registered Associate Nutritionist at Heart Research UK, breaks down why staying hydrated is essential for overall heart health.
Explore our collection of heart healthy recipes
High-protein, budget frozen yoghurt bark.
This simple budget-friendly Cajun Chicken Dirty Rice is low in saturated fat and salt, but full of flavour thanks to a homemade Cajun spice mix.
Budget-friendly, low-salt turkey bake that’s hearty and high in protein.
A budget-friendly, low-fat twist on beans on toast.