John Myers
Dark chocolate has a particularly high cocoa content, while milk chocolate and white chocolate have higher sugar content. Many therefore assume that dark chocolate generally has fewer calories and is, therefore, healthier than light chocolate. However, the calorie advantage only applies up to a certain cocoa content: the lower added sugar cannot offset the increasing proportion of caloric cocoa fat.
Calorie content of chocolate (per 100 g):
- White chocolate: 540 kilocalories
- Milk Chocolate: 536 calories
- Dark chocolate (50 percent): 496 calories
- Dark chocolate (70 percent): 598 kilocalories
Nevertheless, a small amount of sugar can have health benefits: When consuming high-sugar white or milk chocolate, the blood sugar level rises very quickly. This inhibits fat loss and can trigger food cravings. In the case of dark chocolate, on the other hand, the desire for calorie-rich foods only sets in measurably later. It can be considered cheaper because it is less stimulating to take in excess calories.
At the same time, the flavanols contained in cocoa have a positive effect on the heart and circulation. The plant substances can make the blood vessels more elastic and slightly lower blood pressure. The higher the cocoa content, i.e. the darker the chocolate, the stronger this effect. Light chocolate usually contains only 25 percent cocoa – the healthy effect on the heart is therefore comparatively low, while the high sugar content can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system and weight.
The positive effects of dark chocolate unfold best when only consumed in small amounts. Servings of up to 20g per day are a good measure. Because even if the plant substances in cocoa can have a positive effect on health: the high-calorie content and the high proportion of fat can be classified as a health risk if consumed excessively.
