Editor’s note: We welcome Ashley Galloway, a clinical nutritionist, nutrition expert and Indianlantic native, to SpaceCoastDaily.com again.
Valentine’s Day is here. Her insights into the healthy attributes of different types of chocolate are timely and essential for choosing the perfect gift packed with not only delicious but also healthy ingredients.
– Dr. Jim Palermo, Editor-in-Chief
Fresh Beats – Not all chocolates are made the same. Milk chocolate, white chocolate, and dark chocolate all have different levels of healthy and unhealthy ingredients and should be eaten in moderation.
However, one chocolate seems to be good for your health. It’s dark chocolate packed with antioxidants that fight the disease known as flavonoids.
Dark chocolate
This type usually has less sugar and milk solids than the corresponding type. It also has a high proportion of cocoa and is derived from all these healthy compounds. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the bitterer the taste, but the more flavonoids it contains. Dark chocolate contains varieties that contain 75 to 100 percent cocoa solids.
According to the article Nutrition JournalDaily intake of dark chocolate, along with a healthy diet, supports cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood pressure. But still don’t go eat the bar on top of the chocolate bar. Keep your serving size at 1 ounce.
Milk chocolate
Milk chocolate, one of the most abundant types of chocolate on the shelves of today’s stores, is one of the sweetest and richest chocolates due to its high sugar content and added milk. However, studies show that milk protein inhibits the absorption of cocoa flavonols and reduces potential cardiovascular benefits.
On the health side, milk chocolate can sometimes be enjoyed reasonably well, but if you’re looking for health-enhancing chocolate, look for dark chocolate with no dairy products and much less sugar. Your body thank you.
White chocolate
Contrary to its name, white chocolate is not really chocolate. It contains no cocoa solids and is composed of cocoa butter, sugar, milk and vanilla. Due to the lack of cocoa that promotes health, white chocolate does not improve cardiovascular health and can actually be harmful if eaten in excess.
Its high sugar content can raise blood sugar levels, and large amounts of cocoa butter can raise cholesterol levels, but research on the latter seems controversial.
Healthy chocolate
Eating an ounce of dark chocolate with a cocoa ratio of 75 to 100 daily can improve cardiovascular health. In addition, its low sugar content supports healthy blood sugar levels.
Unsweetened cocoa powder also boasts these health benefits and is an excellent alternative to plain dark chocolate bars. Chocolate and milk are very well paired, but remember to consume the two at different times of the day, as milk protein interferes with the absorption of cocoa flavonols.
About the author
Ashley Galloway, A person from Indialantic who has worked as a clinical nutritionist in various fields from pediatrics to adult kidney transplantation and nutrition research since graduating from the Holy Trinity Academy and earning a master’s degree in nutrition from Florida State University. She is currently at the forefront of preventive care as a dietitian on campus at Charleston University in South Carolina.Ashley started a food blog called Fresh beatThis is the space she uses to share healthy recipes and nutritional information designed to help readers achieve optimal health.
