Healthy dessert may sound like an oxymoron, but it turns out there are plenty of foods that can help you get your sweet fix in a healthy way. But is chocolate on the list? Is dark chocolate good for you? You may have heard about the health benefits of nibbling on a dark chocolate bar, which tastes bitter and slightly sweet. Here's what to know about the health benefits and risks of dark chocolate.
Yes! As a nutritionist, I’m happy to tell you dark chocolate can be part of a healthy diet — in moderation, of course. Too much of anything can certainly outweigh the benefits. But there is quite a bit of evidence that chocolate that is mostly cacao can boost your health in a variety of ways, when paired with a healthy lifestyle.
Chocolate that is at least 70% cacao, cocoa, is the healthiest. "The higher the percent of cacao, the less sugar is in the chocolate and the higher the amount of cocoa mass," Frances Largeman-Roth, registered dietitian and author, tells TODAY.com.
in stores range from 70% to 100% cacao. "Some people love the deep, intense flavor of 100%, but it’s not for everyone," Largeman-Roth adds. "I usually find that 85% is absolutely delicious and it still delivers on health benefits.
" In addition to like meditation and exercise, eating a healthy diet has been linked to stress-relief — and yes, that includes dark chocolate. The sweet treat contributes to producing the feel-good hormone serotonin and contains magnesium, which is linked to . Cacao beans contain .
