Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate: Is One Healthier than the Other | St. Mary's Health Care System (2024)

FAQs

Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate: Is One Healthier than the Other | St. Mary's Health Care System? ›

Because of its lower sugar and fat content and its higher flavanol content, dark chocolate has benefits over milk chocolate. However, both should be eaten in moderation because both contain more sugar and fat than is ideal in a heart-healthy diet.

Dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants. Among the most beneficial is a flavonol called epicatechin. Flavonols are compounds found in plants that fight inflammation and protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.

Cocoa is a fabulous source of flavonoids, a special class of antioxidants that are the primary reason chocolate can be considered a good-for-you treat. Although creamy milk chocolate does contain cocoa solids, it's often diluted with the addition of milk solids, sugar, and cream, which makes it less nutritious.

Choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to get the anti-inflammatory benefits not found in milk and white chocolate. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) also reduce inflammation.

White chocolate not only has more saturated fat than any other type of chocolate, but lacks the healthy phytochemicals found in cocoa and dark chocolate.

Because of its lower sugar and fat content and its higher flavanol content, dark chocolate has benefits over milk chocolate. However, both should be eaten in moderation because both contain more sugar and fat than is ideal in a heart-healthy diet.

Doctors recommend eating milk and white chocolate - no more than 20 grams per day. You can eat chocolate at any time, the main thing is not to eat a kilogram at a time. Spread the bar over multiple meals, serving as a healthy dessert.

“Chocolate doesn't increase cholesterol levels, but it doesn't decrease cholesterol levels either.”

As much as we all love indulging in dark chocolate, it's important to keep your intake in check and enjoy it in moderation. Stick to the recommended daily amount of 30-60 grams and savour each bite, knowing that you're not only treating your taste buds but also reaping some potential health benefits.

What chocolate is anti-inflammatory? ›

Anti-inflammatory effect. Several experimental studies found that Dark chocolate also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It enhances the expression of mRNA, especially anti-inflammatory cytokines IL10, by diminishing the pro-inflammatory stress response. Cocoa also has some direct influence on immune cells.

Most dark chocolate is rich in plant chemicals called flavanols. Flavanols are antioxidants linked to a lower risk of heart disease. In theory, dark chocolate will contain higher flavanol content (greater health benefit). Milk chocolate contains much less, and white chocolate contains none.

"Dark chocolate absolutely is considered a superfood. It has fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, to name a few key nutrients. It also packs a powerful antioxidant punch, containing flavanols and polyphenols among others, which have been linked to heart health.

Dark chocolate contains at least 50 percent cacao, has a more pronounced chocolate flavor and is a beneficial source of heart-healthy flavanols and antioxidants from the cacao, Manaker says.

Regularly eating dark chocolate may help reduce a person's likelihood of developing heart disease. Some of the compounds in dark chocolate, specifically flavanols, affect two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high cholesterol.