I have a major sweet tooth. Thank you, Mom, for that. While chocolate, and sweets in general, have a bad reputation for your health, it seems a recent survey by the Archives of Internal Medicine has decided to prove that wrong! I was lucky enough to ask Rachel Berman, the Director of Nutrition at CalorieCount.com a few questions about the subject. Thank you, Rachel, for your wonderful advice. I think many ladies will be happy about this!
1. What types of chocolate are actually good us and what are the benefits?
Dark chocolate (specifically with a 70% cacao concentration) contains antioxidants including epicatechin which has been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and improve blood flow to the heart and brain. Raw cacao powder and unprocessed dark chocolate bars are the best to reap the benefits.
2. What types of chocolate should we avoid?
Avoid your average milk chocolate processed candy bar often containing other ingredients like caramel or cookie center. Processed chocolate “undoes” any antioxidant content plus are loaded with added sugars and perservatives.
3. How often should we be eating the good chocolate to reap the benefits?
About 7 grams a day can help you reap the benefits and try to stick to a maximum of an ounce per day.
4. What other foods with bad reputations have good health benefits?
Popcorn, which is typically thought of as a movie snack food loaded with butter and salt, is actually a very healthy treat as is. It’s naturally a whole grain and a great source of fiber. Choose air popped popcorn without the added butter and salt for a healthy snack.
Beer gets a bad rap for containing empty calories, but beer, especially microbrews, contain hops which contain flavonoids and anti-cancer fighting properties. With alcohol, moderation is key (1 drink/day for women, 2 drinks/day for men) as overdrinking negates any health benefits.
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Who’s up for some chocolate?
Great info! Now off to eat chocolate easter eggs guilt-free, ha!