Food
Monday, November 30, 2009
Is all dark chocolate good for you?
editor
It's true that some dark chocolate is chock full of health benefits, but not all dark chocolate is created equal. According to nutritionist extrodinare, Joy Bauer, there are two things to look out for: cocoa content and fat content.
"
Step 1: Cocoa ContentWhen buying dark chocolate look for 70% cocoa content. Very dark chocolate
can be an acquired taste, though, so play around with different brands until you
hit on one you like.
Step 2: Fat ContentThe type of fat listed in the ingredients is important. You want to avoid
products that contain palm oil or coconut oil or milk fat, and choose ones that
are made from "cocoa butter". Even though they're all saturated fats, "cocoa
butter" has a neutral effect on cholesterol levels, while the other two can
raise your blood cholesterol." [
-joy's healthy bite]
Related: health benefits, dark chocolate, cocoa
-
Posted by seva1001 Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:32pm PDT
Thanks for the info. I love dark chocolate, and now I will start paying attention to ingredients, too.
Report Abuse
-
Posted by kavita Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:28pm PDT
thx for the info!!nw i knw wot kind 2 eat!!yum!
Report Abuse
-
Posted by TC Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:04pm PDT
I just bought the 100% pure chocolate few days ago. I love chocolate, but hate sugar. I guess I will never buy 100% chocolate again. It taste so bad.
I think 75% - 905 chocolate is good.
Report Abuse
-
Posted by mkG Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:50am PDT
Studies now show that coconut oil often actually increases the good HDL cholesterol, while lowering LDL. So total cholesterol levels may actually increase, but in a very favorable ratio.
Report Abuse
-
Posted by Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:53am PDT
I wish you had put some examples in the story... did the work for us...
Report Abuse
-
Posted by Cindi Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:34am PDT
Apparently, it's not only about the cocoa content and fats but polyphenols as well. Most chocolate is made using the "Dutch" process (using alkali) which destroys them anyway. As far as I know, only Mars has a proprietary process that preserves some polyphenols; they market soemthing called CocoaVia. Pricey but good.
Report Abuse
-
Posted by RookieMom Heather Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:45am PDT
I heard Gary Guittard speak about chocolate last week and he said that he liked the Dutch process -- it made the result taste like an "Oreo Cookie" -- I was surprised to hear that alkali could be tasty.
Report Abuse
-
-
-
Posted by Frank_P Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:24pm PDT
I love Dark Chocolate my self, wish there were some examples listed. Cadbury dark from the UK rocks, though it is only 60% cocoa. Don't compare with Cadbury from the US made by Hershey's.
Report Abuse