The world is divided regarding the relish of of chocolates - Some Like It fresh and soft while others like it bitter and crunchy. The three most popular types of chocolate available all over the world are dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. Lately, dark chocolate has gained popularity among people health conscious because of its high antioxidant content, and we are all aware of dark chocolate benefits on skin and health, but the other two varieties have also some health benefits, and in this article we will discuss about the benefits for the health of dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate and evaluate what is the healthiest of all.
Difference between Dark, Milk and White Chocolate
Before getting on with the health benefits of different types of chocolates, let us know the difference between these 3 popular types of chocolates. The common ingredient in all types of chocolates is cocoa. Chocolate is manufactured from cocoa beans that are harvested, ground up and liquefied in order to prepare the chocolate liquor. This bitter liquor is further processes to form cocoa solids and cocoa butter. It is the cocoa solids that render the characteristic bitter taste to the chocolate. The different combinations of cocoa solids and cocoa butter along with other ingredients give rise to various types of chocolates. So, what is dark chocolate? Well, dark chocolate can be considered chocolate in its purest form. It contains the highest percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter, and the other added ingredients are cocoa bean powder and sugar.
Milk chocolate contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter, but in much smaller percentage. It also contains milk powder and sugar which gives it a smoother, creamier and sweeter taste. But then one might ask is white chocolate real chocolate? To tell the truth, white chocolate does not contain cocoa solids at all; it only contains a small percentage of cocoa butter along with sugar and milk.
7 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
The easiest way to determine the healthiest type of chocolate is by knowing the health benefits of the different types of chocolates. Let us begin with the health benefits of dark chocolate that contains the highest percentage of cocoa.
Rich Source of Health Benefiting Minerals and Nutrients
The high concentration of essential minerals in dark chocolate is what makes it the winner among all the varieties and it is one of the remarkable health benefits of chocolate consumption on a daily basis. Dark chocolate contains a high concentration of cocoa along with the decent amount of soluble fibers and minerals such as iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.
The fatty acids present in dark chocolate are mostly monounsaturated and saturated fats along with small amounts of polyunsaturated fats that help in the healthy functioning of the heart. Dark chocolate also contains stimulants such as theobromine and caffeine which are beneficial for health when taken in limited quantity.
Aids Weight Loss
The topic of dark chocolate weight loss is quite a common one in the health circle. Dark chocolate helps to promote weight loss and prevent unhealthy late night food cravings that are one of the main reasons for obesity and overweight issues. Consuming 1 ounce of dark chocolate with 70 to 85% cocoa content 3 times a week can help to lose extra body weight.
Dark chocolate is rich in soluble fibers that help you to stay full and satiated for a longer period of time and cuts out the craving for fatty, salty and sweet foods. It also helps to speed up the metabolism so that the body burns more calories.
Powerful Antioxidants
The best dark chocolate varieties are loaded with antioxidants that help to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress on the cells.
Free radicals are one of the main reasons for premature skin aging and cancer. Therefore, eating antioxidant-rich foods like dark chocolate goes a long way in providing protection from many types of cancer and slows down the process of skin aging.
Helps Control Blood Sugar
Dark chocolate is especially useful in providing protection against Type 2 Diabetes. It not only keeps the blood vessels healthy and reduces the effects of inflammation caused by diabetes, but also reduce insulin resistance of the cells so that they can function normally and regain the capacity to utilize insulin efficiently.
Moreover, dark chocolate has a relatively low glycemic index which makes it a healthy food for diabetic patients because it won’t cause any sudden rise in blood sugar levels.
Boost Brain Functions
Dark chocolate helps to increase blood flow to the brain and the heart which in turn aids to improve cognitive functions and reduce the risk of stroke. Caffeine present in dark chocolate works as a stimulant and helps to enhance alertness, concentration and performance.
Dark chocolate also contains chemical Phenylethylamine (PEA) which promotes the brain to release endorphins – the feel-good hormone that helps to reduce stress and tension and boost the mood instantly.
Healthy Heart
Research shows that people who consume up to 100 grams of milk chocolate or dark chocolate every day are 11% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke or suffer from other cardiovascular problems compared to people who did not eat chocolate at all. The antioxidant flavonoids found in both dark and milk chocolate helps to stimulate blood flow to the brain and the rest of the body and neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals.
The flavonols also help to lower blood pressure and prevent the blood platelets from sticking to each other and forming clots which is the major reason for a stroke. But in the case of milk chocolates, the benefits may also be associated with the milk components – namely calcium and fatty acids present in the chocolate.
Improved Brain Functions
Just like dark chocolate, milk chocolate also contains magnesium – one of the importantminerals in the human body that is necessary for healthy functioning of the brain. Although half a bar of dark chocolate contains 23% magnesium, the quantity is 7% in case of milk chocolate, but it is still beneficial for improving brain functions.
In addition, the caffeine content in milk chocolate helps to boost concentration, alertness and performance. Eating just 2 squares of milk chocolate a day helps to improve cognitive activity significantly.
Prevents Colds
The zinc content in dark chocolate and milk chocolate is almost same, and this mineral helps to boost immune power and prevent cough, cold and fever. It enhances the natural disease-fighting capacity of the body to fight against a plethora of viruses, bacteria, and allergens.
In addition, the naturally occurring antioxidant phenolics found in milk chocolate also boosts the immune system.
Improves Skin and Hair
One of the amazing benefits of milk chocolate is that it helps you to achieve beautiful skin and hair. Cocoa butter is commonly used in beauty products such as creams, balms and waxes that help to hydrate the skin and neutralize skin damage caused by sun exposure, pollution, and alcohol. Raw cocoa powder is also used in various facial treatments to ward off blemishes and boost collagen to make the cheeks plump, supple and youthful.
Eating at least 20 grams of milk chocolate can help in minimizing wrinkles and dark spots caused by UV radiations. Eating small amounts of chocolate a few times in a week can also promote hair growth and thicken hair by promoting blood circulation to the scalp. It is one of the most delicious natural remedies for hair growth that everyone would love to try.
Rich Nutrition Content
Yet another reason to include milk chocolate in your healthy foods list is the milk chocolate nutrition profile.
Despite the fat and sugar content, milk chocolate also contains other essential nutrients that are necessary for maintaining and supporting overall health. 1.5 ounce of milk chocolate contains 83 milligrams of calcium, 1miligram of iron, 164 milligrams of potassium, 1-milligram zinc, and 86 units of vitamin A and 2.5 micrograms of vitamin K.
Best Milk Chocolate Brands: Some of the smoothest and creamiest of milk chocolates are produced by brands such as Lindt Milk chocolate, Ritter Sport Milk Chocolate, Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate, Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate, Newman’s Own Organics Milk Chocolate, Green & Black’s Milk Chocolate and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate.
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