Chocolate Myths and Facts - Wladimir Budnik/Vitality Brands

Chocolate Myths and Facts - Wladimir Budnik/Vitality Brands

27 May 2016, 1:10PM
Tomorrowland

Of all the foods we eat there is not one food that attracts the same level of attention and passionate debate as chocolate. It tastes great, we all love it, and some of us are addicted to it, so therefore it must be bad for us, right? Wrong. Vitality brands Food Scientist Wladimir Budnik is here to share the facts.  

Over the last 10 years, a host of research on chocolate and cocoa has uncovered numerous health benefits directly related to the consumption of high cocoa solids (HCS) chocolate.

Bare in mind your average Cadbury Dairy Milk is not HCS – it contains almost 60 per cent sugar and only 26 per cent cocoa solids. Your best bet is rich, dark chocolate with at least 70 per cent cocoa solids and preferably without any added sugar.

Here are some more chocolate facts:

Chocolate is good for your health: True 
The nutritional potency of cocoa has been recognised and exploited in traditional medicines for hundreds of years but it’s only in the last 10 years or so that the numerous health benefits of the cocoa fruit (or more correctly the seeds of the fruit) have been attributed to the large variety and unmatched abundance of the polyphenol flavanols that they contain. These powerful antioxidants are believed to have a positive effect on a whole range of bodily functions from cardiovascular and respiratory systems to brain function and immunity.

Chocolate gives you pimples: False
Despite what your mother tells you about chocolate exacerbating acne, it’s a definite myth. Significant research in the relationship between diet and acne has found no credible link; hence irrespective of whether you eat chocolate (or any other food) it will not make you predisposed to acne.

Chocolate makes you fat: False
The US has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world at 34 per cent and also one of lowest chocolate consumption rates per capita at 5kg. On the other hand the average rate of chocolate consumption in Switzerland at 11kg is the highest in the world and with an obesity rate of only 8 per cent. Go figure! Chocolate per se will not make you fat but it is an energy dense food (high calorific value per gram) that should be enjoyed in moderation.

Chocolate will increase your cholesterol and is bad for your heart: False 
Research evidence is mounting by the day that regular consumption of HCS chocolate has proven cardiovascular health benefits. In fact, a 2012 Monash University study into the potential use of HCS chocolate for treating those with metabolic disease (i.e. Type 2 diabetes and obesity) concluded:
“The blood pressure and cholesterol lowering effects of dark chocolate consumption are beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular events in a population with metabolic syndrome. Daily dark chocolate consumption could be an effective cardiovascular preventive strategy in this population.”

Chocolate lacks nutritional value: False
Chocolate has received a lot of beating from all because they’re quite high in calories. However the delicious treat is a good source of magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and zinc. It contains polyphenols which are antioxidants found in tea are said to reduce the risk of heart disease, making it a great superfood!

Chocolate can still taste great without sugar: True 
To get all of the health benefits without the negatives of excess sugar consumption, choose Well Naturally No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate which contains 70 per cent cocoa. It is just as delicious as regular, full sugar chocoalte.
 
Pioneers of the No Sugar Added movement, Well Naturally sweeten their chocolate with natural, plant-based sweetener stevia. Stevia has no calories and no impact on blood sugar levels, unlike sugar.  It could eventuate that regular consumption of HCS chocolate may well change an old adage to “a piece of chocolate a day keeps the doctor away”.

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