Healthy Dark Chocolate - Is There Such a Thing?

With a lot of talk about health and chocolate it is important to realize that there is a big difference between all types of chocolate and the health benefits they provide. One of the main health benefits that has been found in healthy dark chocolate is the flavonoids and they are more highly concentrated in dark chocolate because it has a higher cocoa percentage.

It is the cocoa which comes from a plant, which provides all of the health benefits. It is not only full of flavanoids but also minerals and other elements beneficial to health. Also white chocolate and milk chocolate contain more fat, refined sugar and fillers, which are not healthy.

Products which are coated with chocolate should also be eaten with caution because the amount of chocolate may be small and therefore the health benefits minimal. The product which is coated in the chocolate may be unhealthy and outweigh any health benefits provided by the chocolate. It is a balancing act, like any sort of healthy eating to make sure that you have the chocolate as part of a healthy balanced diet and have the dark chocolate if you want to ensure you are getting the maximum health benefits.

There is also a difference between different types of dark chocolate and this can effect the health benefits. Some have been processed a lot and have a lot of added sugar and so they are not so healthy as the ones which are less processed and have lower sugar levels. Some have a higher cocoa percentage than others as well. Check the labels of the chocolate to find out the ingredients and calculate which you think will be the best for you.

It is best to look out for the ones which have low sugar and high cocoa and as few other additives as possible. There are some bars which contain raw unprocessed cocoa and these are likely to be the best healthy dark chocolate.