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Publication #FAR8057

 

Dark Chocolate Benefits1

Sherri Gampel and Linda B. Bobroff2

Figure 1. 
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I live with a family of self-proclaimed "chocoholics." My husband and daughter love everything chocolate. If you or your family members love chocolate, you know it's hard to deny a craving. Still, most of us can't help but be concerned about how something so sweet might adversely impact our family's health. Chocolate lovers, even those at risk for developing type II diabetes or hypertension, may now have a legitimate reason to indulge in this culinary pleasure.

A recent study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition tested the effects of dark and white chocolate on healthy adults to determine whether either type played a role in blood pressure and insulin sensitivity. They concluded that dark chocolate can indeed help reduce blood pressure and insulin resistance. White chocolate did not provide these health benefits. The effects of dark chocolate are due to flavanols, antioxidant compounds also found in many fruits and vegetables that have been shown to lower risk of heart disease. Flavanols make dark chocolate in moderation a great solution to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Keep in mind that although dark chocolate has health benefits, most chocolate bars are high in saturated fat, so moderation is key. Also, eating dark chocolate cannot substitute for everyday healthy food choices. Nor can chocolate replace regular exercise or medications that have been prescribed by your physician. Still, it's nice to know you can indulge in your chocolate cravings every so often without feeling guilty about it.

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References

Grassi, D., Lippi, C., Necozione, S., Desideri, G., & Ferri, C. (2005). Short-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons. American Society for Clinical Nutrition, 81, 611-614.

Grassi, D., Necozione, S., Lippi, C., Croce, G., Valeri, L., Pasqualetti, P., et al. (2005). Cocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in hypertensives. Hypertension: The American Heart Association, 46(2), 398.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR8057, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 417. Published October 2010. Reviewed March 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Sherri Gampel, 2006–2007 University Scholars Program, Linda B. Bobroff, professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.