The Health Benefits Of Chocolate: A Nutritionist’s Take

For years I demonized chocolate, assuming any sweet treat was inherently unhealthy. What I didn’t know at the time was that if I consumed the right chocolate, it wasn’t quite as harmful as I thought—and actually, came with benefits.

“About 380 known chemical substances have been described in cocoa, and among them are the phenolic phytochemicals, which have been intensively investigated for their antioxidant capabilities,” nutritionist Laura Parada tells Vogue. “Moreover, in some studies it has been observed that pure cocoa contains much higher levels of total phenolics and has a higher antioxidant activity than black tea and green tea.”

5 key benefits of dark chocolate

1. It stabilizes glucose peaks: “Dark chocolate improves cognitive capacity through better oxygenation of the brain,” Parada adds.
2. It is a potent antioxidant.
3. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
4. It helps to lower cholesterol: “Many studies confirm that cocoa consumption can benefit cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, increasing the elasticity of blood vessels and slightly reducing LDL cholesterol, helping to fight diabetes by reducing insulin resistance and other inflammatory processes,” says Parada.
5. It acts as a stimulant: “In addition, cocoa provides minerals such as magnesium, copper, and iron, and also stands out for its caffeine content in lower amounts than coffee, but which also gives it stimulating properties.”

What is the best dark chocolate to choose?

Parada suggests looking out for chocolate with a cocoa content equal to or greater than 75%. Bearing in mind that most standard chocolate bars contain less than 40%, it’s important to check the label. “Certain chocolates, even if they contain a high percentage of cocoa, also include other types of ingredients that we do not want, such as sweeteners, flavorings, or high levels of sugar.”

How to introduce it into our diet (in a healthy way)

Use dark chocolate in chunks in homemade pancakes, or eat with nuts as a healthy snack. Of course, it is important to consume it in moderation – no more than an ounce of dark chocolate (with more than 75% cocoa) per day.