8 chocolate “facts” you shouldn’t believe

It ’ randomness tempting to swallow the ballyhoo about chocolate ’ s supposed benefits, but don ’ t believe all you read. Pascale Varley replaces some common myths with the facts .

1. Chocolate is good for me

Cocoa beans, the main ingredient in chocolate, contain naturally occurring polyphenols. There is some evidence that polyphenols help reduce rake press and have antioxidant properties .
A July 2020 study from the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, has suggested that cocoa can keep the heart ’ s blood vessels healthy. But this report does n’t consider the character of chocolate, the amount of cocoa, what else participants were eating, or the gamble factors for center and circulative diseases that people might have had. This, along with other studies, did not have conclusive adequate results for us to recommend eating it for health reasons .
besides, chocolate is high in boodle and saturated fat. It is a high-energy ( high calorie ) food, and besides much can result in overindulgence weight, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Healthier sources of polyphenols include beans, pulses, fruit and vegetables.

2. Chocolate gives me energy

Chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine, which may contribute to the theme that it makes us energetic. When you ’ re athirst, it ’ mho better to eat a nosh that provides confirm energy unblock .
Choose foods with less sugar and fatty and more fibre, such as a humble sandwich, a objet d’art of toast, an apple or a little bowl of unsweetened cereal .

3. Dark chocolate is better for me

Dark chocolate contains more cocoa solids and cocoa butter than milk cocoa, but the amount of polyphenols depends on how the chocolate is processed, so it ’ s not inevitably better .
During the fabrication process, clean, agitation, roasting fourth dimension and temperature, ‘ dutching ’ ( alkalising ) and the accession of extra ingredients to the cocoa ( emulsifier or boodle, for case ) can about wholly remove polyphenols from the dark cocoa .

• See our list of surprisingly sugary foods.

4. A chocolate bar is the perfect portion

Any surfeit energy you consume will lead to slant advance. One chocolate bar averages 250kcal. This is equivalent to 10 per cent of a man ’ mho and 12 per cent of a charwoman ’ south recommended day by day inhalation, and it ’ s frequently gobbled down in a few minutes .
In order to lose the energy obtained from a cocoa bar, a 50-year-old person needs to walk for 45–55 minutes .

5. Chocolate is addictive

There is no attest that chocolate causes physical addiction. rather, our feelings about chocolate tend to dictate our behavior, as we associate it with ease, wages and celebration .
This connection means we might feel that we ‘ need ’ it, which can make it hard to control how much we eat. rather, try to obtain enjoyable feelings in other ways ; walk in beautiful surroundings, call a friend or indulge in hobbies you love .

6. Hot chocolate doesn’t count

There is no attest that chocolate causes physical addiction

Cocoa powder used to make hot chocolate contains less adipose tissue because it doesn ’ triiodothyronine include the cocoa butter and other fats found in a chocolate bar.

however, depending on what you mix the cocoa powder with, your hot chocolate swallow can contain ampere much energy ( calories ), fat and carbohydrate as between one and two-and-a-half median chocolate bars .
Be leery of hot chocolates made with full-fat milk and served with high-energy toppings ( whip cream, marshmallows, cocoa sprinkles ). however, switching a chocolate bar for a drink in made with semi-skimmed, one per cent or skimmed milk and cocoa gunpowder, with merely a short sugar or sweetening, could save you 100kcal and will be a more alimentary option .

• See our list of surprisingly fatty foods.

7. I can’t eat chocolate, I have diabetes

Most people who have diabetes can normally consume chocolate in moderation and as part of a healthy life style and diet. There is no motivation for special diabetic chocolate products that are much higher in energy and fat, and may distillery raise your blood glucose levels .
alternatively, if you do decide to eat chocolate, adhere to a small amount of it and try to have it at the end of your meal, so that your body absorbs it more lento .

8. Chocolate with bubbles in is ‘lighter’

The energy, fatten and boodle content per 100g are similar to other chocolates. Added air makes it less dense than solid chocolate, so corrode chocolate with bubbles can be like eating a slightly smaller bar, and consequently you are getting less fat, saturated fatness and sugar per share. But constantly check the dowry size .
Some champagne chocolates are sold in larger bars than your common solid cocoa bar, eliminating any health benefits .

• Read our dietitian’s verdict on whether chocolate can be a heart-healthy choice.

Chocolate swaps

An average 50g chocolate bar contains 250kcal. Swap it for a alimentary nosh and see how many calories you save .
Swap for 3 dried apricots: Save 194kcal
Swap for plain popcorn (20g): Save 131kcal

Swap for skinny latte rather than hot chocolate: Save 145kcal
Swap for 125g fruit yoghurt pot (fat free): Save 176kcal
Swap for small bowl of fresh berries: Save 212kcal