Chocolate: Breaking the Myths
By Sara Butler
Many people enjoy chocolate and it has quite a reputation for being an indulgence you can partake in when you’re not eating healthy. Well, what you know to be true about chocolate may not actually be. There are a lot of myths out there about chocolate and its value to your health and wellness. Set the record straight to understand that chocolate may have a place in your healthy diet!
Myth No. 1: Chocolate is Full of Caffeine
Chocolate may indeed provide you with a little pick-me-up after you eat it, but that’s not because it’s full of caffeine. Most servings of chocolate have about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. So, you can indulge without worrying that it’s going to keep you up all night!
Myth No. 2: Chocolate is Bad for Your Cholesterol
Many people believe that chocolate is full of saturated fat and that’s bad for your cholesterol levels. The truth is that the type of saturated fat found in chocolate is unique. Researchers have found that it doesn’t have the same impact on cholesterol as other types of saturated fat. It may even help to increase levels of good cholesterol – in moderation, of course.
Myth No. 3: Chocolate has no Nutritional Value
Chocolate actually has a healthy amount of copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium as well as an antioxidant that is good for your heart. An average bar of chocolate will provide the same amount of heart-healthy polyphenols that are found in a glass of wine.
Myth No. 4: Eating Chocolate Causes Cavities
Keeping your teeth healthy is an important part of your overall health, but chocolate isn’t as bad for your teeth as you may think. No candy alone will cause cavities. In fact, drinking chocolate milk delivers protein, calcium, and phosphate that can help to keep your teeth healthy. Just take care of your teeth and make sure to maintain proper hygiene and chocolate likely won’t cause you problems.
What Kind of Chocolate is Best?
If you’re going to have chocolate, then it’s best to go for dark chocolate. It has less sugar than milk chocolate but still has the same antioxidants that can help you keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Of course, chocolate should be enjoyed in moderation, but it’s not something you need to avoid as part of a healthy lifestyle.
To be healthy, you don't have to swear off chocolate forever! Understand the truth and don't deprive yourself of something you love!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.