Is Chocolate Bad For You?
Short answer
If consumed in large quantities, chocolate can lead to problems such as obesity and an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. However, dark chocolate in particular, when eaten in moderation, has a host of benefits including preventing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Recommended Alternative
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Chocolate often gets a bad (w)rap. There is one particular type of chocolate - dark chocolate - that is actually very good when enjoyed in moderation. Dark chocolate, especially that containing over 70% cocoa, is rich in an assortment of essential vitamins and minerals. These help to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Antioxidants are also abundant in dark chocolate and provided you do not drink milk while eating (milk binds with antioxidants, causing disruption in function), they help prevent free radical damage that can lead to, among other problems, cancer.
Flavonols found in dark chocolate have anti-inflammatory properties and also help prevent cancer and heart disease. Additionally, dark chocolate reduces LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and helps lower blood pressure. If you've ever noticed yourself feeling happier after eating dark chocolate, it isn't only due to its deliciousness. Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a chemical that has been associated with the release of endorphins and serotonin.
One bar of dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa provides nearly the entire recommended daily allowance for a variety of nutrients, including iron (67%), magnesium (58%), copper (89%), and manganese (98%). This last one, manganese, is crucial for proper bone growth, fighting against free-radicals, and collagen production (as a co-factor for the enzyme prolidase).
Despite these benefits, there are some downsides to dark chocolate. It is high in caffeine, which can cause you to become jittery. Also, migraines may be caused or worsened by the tyramine held therein. Yet a further problem is that dark chocolate, like all chocolate, is high in sugar and calories, so while it is good for you to eat, it is important to eat only in moderation.
Possible short-term side effects
- headache / migraine
-
jittery sensation
-
blood sugar spike
Possible long-term side effects
- milk chocolate:
-
weight gain
-
diabetes
-
heart disease
-
stroke
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- dark chocolate:
-
lowers ldl levels
-
lowers blood pressure
-
reduces risk of heart disease
-
reduces risk of cancer
-
may help protect the skin against the sun
-
provides feeling of euphoria
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Lily's Dark Chocolate Sampler
- Stevia sweetened
- No added sugar
- Low-carb, Keto-friendly
- Fair Trade certified
- Gluten-free & Non-GMO
Learn More!
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Approved by 
