7 Myths &Facts about chocolate.
from: http://teens.sparkpeople.com/resource/Nutriti on_articles.asp?id=1019&page=1
Myth: Chocolate is high in caffeine.
Fact: While eating chocolate may perk you up, chocolate is actually not very high in caffeine. A 1.4-ounce chocolate bar or an 8-ounce glass of chocolate milk both contain 6 mg of caffeine, the same amount as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. (For reference, regular coffee contains about 65-135mg of caffeine.)
Myth: Chocolate is loaded with saturated fat and is bad for your cholesterol.
Fact: Stearic acid, the main saturated fat found in milk chocolate, is unique. Research has shown that it doesn’t raise cholesterol levels the same way that other types of saturated fats do. In fact, eating a 1.4 ounce chocolate bar instead of a carbohydrate-rich snack has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Myth: Chocolate lacks any nutritional value.
Fact: Chocolate is a good source of magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. It also contains polyphenols (an antioxidant also found in tea and red wine) that have been associated with a decreased risk of coronary disease. An average chocolate bar contains about the same amount of antioxidants as a 5-ounce glass of red wine.
A daily serving of dark chocolate, which contains more antioxidants than milk chocolate, can also help lower blood pressure and improve insulin resistance according to a joint study between Tufts University in Boston and the University of L’Aquila in Italy. The findings do not suggest that people with high blood pressure consume dark chocolate in lieu of taking their prescribed medication, but that the flavonoids in dark chocolate may have a positive effect on blood pressure and insulin resistance. Learn more about the health properties of chocolate.
Myth: Chocolate causes cavities.
Fact: Candy alone is not responsible for cavities. Cavities are formed when bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugars and starches from any type of food (soda, candy, juice, bread, rice and pasta) to produce acid. This acid then eats through the enamel of the tooth, causing a cavity.
The protein, calcium and phosphate content of milk chocolate may actually protect tooth enamel, and its naturally-occurring fat content means that chocolate clears the mouth faster than other candy, reducing the amount of time its sugars remain in contact with tooth surfaces.
Regular fluoride use, proper oral hygiene to remove fermentable carbohydrate residue and the application of plastic sealants can all help prevent the formation of cavities—whether you avoid chocolate or not.
Myth: Chocolate causes headaches.
Fact: While sited as a common cause of migraines, a study by the University of Pittsburgh has shown no link between chocolate and headaches. The results of that double-blind study of 63 participants known to suffer chronic headaches were published in the neurology journal Cephalalgia. Chronic headaches were once thought to be caused by amines in foods (including histamine and beta-phenylethylamine) such as cheddar cheese, peanuts, cured meats, chocolate and alcohol, but this study eliminated chocolate as a possible headache cause.
Myth: Chocolate causes acne.
Fact: Regardless of what your parents or grandparents may still say, studies in the past twenty years have eliminated chocolate as a cause of acne. In fact, many dermatologists doubt that diet plays any significant role in the development of acne. Acne is now believed to be caused by a combination of high bacterial levels and oil on the skin. For more information about the causes and treatment of acne, click here.
Myth: Chocolate causes weight gain.
Fact: Any food can be part of a healthy diet if consumed in moderation. An average chocolate bar contains 220 calories, which is low enough to be a part of a weight control diet if other high-calorie foods are eliminated. Enjoying the occasional piece of chocolate may reduce the risk of severe bingeing, which can occur when you feel deprived of your favorite foods.
Chocolate’s bad reputation is slowly changing and research now shows that chocolate can be a part of an overall healthy lifestyle, when consumed in moderation. If you keep your portion sizes small and select dark chocolate whenever possible, the occasional treat can be a guilt-free part of your diet.
Fact: Chocolate is an inanimate object, incapable of functions limited to the living.
Myth: Chocolate calls my name, sometimes waking me from my sleep.
I wrote a paper on chocolate years back. Regarding cavities, the dentist I quoted addressed how chocolate disolves relatively quickly unlike sticky, chewy types which can stick to teeth or hard candy which coat the teeth in sugar for long periods of time.
I guess I'll think about all those anti-oxidants and try not to feel guilty!
Thanks for the info!
your very welcome!
i dont feel guilty when i eat chocolate. only if its milk choco(but that still has anti-oxidants)
i love to get the hersheys 60% cacao with almonds blueberries &cranberries. mmmmm.... if you havent tried, i suggest you do!
OUTSTANDING TOPIC, PEACE!
I also have to wear ear-plugs to drown out the Call of the Chocolate Gone Wild! Diane
Not to mention, it's darn tasty.
Original Post by zebulancherry:
I love dark chocolate; I buy Endanged Species Organic 87% extra dark chocolate, which has antioxidants and plus it supports wildlife funding. x)
Not to mention, it's darn tasty.
today i bought lindt 85% cacao. i thought i would like it cause i like the 60% cacao more than i had liked the 45%cacao.
i didnt like it at all. too bitter for me =(
I have a question :) Hoping one of you choco-fanatics can help!
I've read that the higher % of cacao is "better" for you, but why does 100% unsweetend baking chocolate have just as much fat/calories as a lower % of cacao bar? Is it "higher % = better" theory based just on the amount of antioxidents and sugar levels? I've tried looking up information online about this, but the majority of people find baking chocolate too bitter to eat so it's not in a lot of the comparison charts. I personally like the baking chocolate! I've tried looking label-to-label with a dove or hershey's special dark & baking 100% cacao unsweetened ghiradelli bar , but can't really see much different calorie-wise! There's really only difference in the sugar percentages.
I'm pretty much rambling now! haha. Any feedback/advice/input MUCH appreciated! :)
Thank you for posting this. I went through an entire box of Godiva in 2 days.........and feel SO SO SO guilty! My hubby thinks I have been so strict that I deserved it.........oh well. The good news is that it's all gone and I won't have to attack it tomorrow!
Original Post by enzyme1:
this is just justifying the consumption of a high cal High GI unsubstantial junk food, chocolate and obesity go hand in hand,
i am willing to bet you my life i could lose weight eating chocolate
the only thing that goes hand in hand with obesity is eating too much.
Original Post by sunkissedbliss:
add a vegetable or two into things like brownies and cookies and people were all "wow, im eating so healthy".
veggies in brownies?
Original Post by peacelovehominy:
its justifying it in moderation.
If you eat in moderation you dont need to justify the consumption, the problem is I just saw several people post that they binged on chocolates and now they dont feel bad because they feel that chocolate isnt a junk food because of these "redeeming" quality's,
"i am willing to bet you my life i could lose weight eating chocolate"
I bet your life that other people cant."the only thing that goes hand in hand with obesity is eating too much."
Chocolate doesn't give me as much energy as say tuna salad, at least when I over eat vitality enhancing food I feel full of energy and can work it off,
Yes, things like beetroot, carrot, spinach in brownies in an attempt to make it healthy so that the kids will be deceived into eating getting their daily vegetables.
Original Post by enzyme1:Original Post by peacelovehominy:
its justifying it in moderation.If you eat in moderation you dont need to justify the consumption, the problem is I just saw several people post that they binged on chocolates and now they dont feel bad because they feel that chocolate isnt a junk food because of these "redeeming" quality's, i agree with you in this aspect. i do not, however, think people should beat themselves up for enjoying themselves every once in a while. notice i said once in a while
"i am willing to bet you my life i could lose weight eating chocolate"
I bet your life that other people cant. &why wouldnt they? i mean, i guess if you count that people who are have very low will power"the only thing that goes hand in hand with obesity is eating too much."
Chocolate doesn't give me as much energy as say tuna salad, at least when I over eat vitality enhancing food I feel full of energy and can work it off,
well yeah, when i work out i crave healthy foods. but, my friend who is a jock eat junk ALL the time &she has no prob performining in her b-ball games.
