Facts About Chocolate

Don’t you just wish you could include Chocolate into your diet!?

Well, you can – aim for a dark chocolate with a minimum of 74% cocoa solids…

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT CHOCOLATE

When it comes to dieting, chocolate is often seen as something to be avoided at all costs. Something which, if indulged in, will leave you quickly piling on the pounds and undoing all of your hard work. But is it really so bad? Here at Bodychef, we’re going to show you how eating chocolate needn’t necessarily be a guilt-ridden experience; that indulging in the odd bar won’t cause too much damage to your diet, as long as you follow certain rules.

To help you out, we’ve listed a few common myths about chocolate, and why they’re not necessarily true:

Myth 1: Chocolate is loaded with saturated fat and is bad for your cholesterol levels

In fact, the main saturated fat found in chocolate is stearic acid. While this may not sound too healthy, research has shown that having stearic acid in your diet can help to raise the levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. Increased levels of HDL can help to lower blood pressure and ease the strain on your heart.

Myth 2: Chocolate causes cavities

Contrary to popular belief, eating chocolate doesn’t necessarily result in cavities. In fact, some of the elements found inside chocolate—phosphate, calcium, and protein—can all contribute towards healthy tooth enamel. What’s more, chocolate also leaves the mouth quicker than other sweets, meaning that its sugars are in contact with the teeth for a far shorter period. This means less chance of cavities.

Myth 3: Chocolate causes acne

Despite what you may have heard from parents and grandparents, eating chocolate doesn’t necessarily lead to acne or bad skin. In fact, the anti-oxidants found in dark chocolate can help to detoxify your system and improve your complexion.

Myth 4: Chocolate has no nutritional value

In fact, chocolate (particularly darker versions) can be a great source of magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc. And that’s not all—chocolate also contains small amounts of phosphate, calcium, protein, and various phenolic compounds which can help to lower your insulin resistance. This can result in lower blood pressure and a healthier heart.

Myth 5: Chocolate causes headaches

While chocolate is often seen as a culprit for headaches and migraines, scientific research has found no link between the two.

Myth 6: Chocolate is high in caffeine

While eating chocolate can seem like a good way of ‘perking’ yourself up, the amount of caffeine found in the average bar is minimal. For instance, a 40 gram piece of chocolate contains around 6mg of caffeine—about the same as a cup of decaf coffee. Compare that to a regular cup of coffee, which can often contain as much as 135mg of caffeine, and it becomes clear that chocolate is unlikely to keep you up at night.

Myth 7: Chocolate causes weight gain

Although one of the most prevalent myths surrounding chocolate, this isn’t necessarily true. When eaten in moderation, chocolate can contribute towards a healthy diet, especially when accompanied by regular exercise. And remember: when it comes to chocolate, the darker the better, so aim for a minimum of around 74% cocoa solids.

Get some balance back into your life by choosing a Bodychef Home Delivery diet.