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.
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