The world is divided when it comes to the taste of chocolates – some like it sweet and soft while others like it bitter and crunchy. The three most popular types of chocolates available around the world are dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. In recent times, dark chocolate has gained popularity among health conscious people because of its high antioxidant content, and we are all aware of the benefits of dark chocolate on skin and for overall health but the other two varieties also possess some health benefits and in this article we will discuss about the health benefits of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate and evaluate which is the healthiest of all.
Difference between Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate
Before getting on with the health benefits of different types of chocolates, let us know the difference between these 3 popular types of chocolates. The common ingredient in all types of chocolates is cocoa. Chocolate is manufactured from cocoa beans that are harvested, ground up and liquefied in order to prepare the chocolate liquor. This bitter liquor is further processes to form cocoa solids and cocoa butter. It is the cocoa solids that render the characteristic bitter taste to the chocolate. The different combinations of cocoa solids and cocoa butter along with other ingredients give rise to various types of chocolates. So, what is dark chocolate? Well, dark chocolate can be considered chocolate in its purest form. It contains the highest percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter, and the other added ingredients are cocoa bean powder and sugar.
Milk chocolate contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter, but in much smaller percentage. It also contains milk powder and sugar which gives it a smoother, creamier and sweeter taste. But then one might ask is white chocolate real chocolate? To tell the truth, white chocolate does not contain cocoa solids at all; it only contains a small percentage of cocoa butter along with sugar and milk.
The easiest way to determine the healthiest type of chocolate is by knowing the health benefits of the different types of chocolates. Let us begin with the health benefits of dark chocolate that contains the highest percentage of cocoa.
Rich Source of Health Benefiting Minerals and Nutrients
The high concentration of essential minerals in dark chocolate is what makes it the winner among all the varieties and it is one of the remarkable health benefits of chocolate consumption on a daily basis. Dark chocolate contains a high concentration of cocoa along with the decent amount of soluble fibers and minerals such as iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.
The fatty acids present in dark chocolate are mostly monounsaturated and saturated fats along with small amounts of polyunsaturated fats that help in the healthy functioning of the heart. Dark chocolate also contains stimulants such as theobromine and caffeine which are beneficial for health when taken in limited quantity.
Aids Weight Loss
The topic of dark chocolate weight loss is quite a common one in the health circle.
Dark chocolate helps to promote weight loss and prevent unhealthy late night food cravings that are one of the main reasons for obesity and overweight issues. Consuming 1 ounce of dark chocolate with 70 to 85% cocoa content 3 times a week can help to lose extra body weight.
Dark chocolate is rich in soluble fibers that help you to stay full and satiated for a longer period of time and cuts out the craving for fatty, salty and sweet foods.It also helps to speed up the metabolism so that the body burns more calories.
Difference between Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate
Before getting on with the health benefits of different types of chocolates, let us know the difference between these 3 popular types of chocolates. The common ingredient in all types of chocolates is cocoa. Chocolate is manufactured from cocoa beans that are harvested, ground up and liquefied in order to prepare the chocolate liquor. This bitter liquor is further processes to form cocoa solids and cocoa butter. It is the cocoa solids that render the characteristic bitter taste to the chocolate. The different combinations of cocoa solids and cocoa butter along with other ingredients give rise to various types of chocolates. So, what is dark chocolate? Well, dark chocolate can be considered chocolate in its purest form. It contains the highest percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter, and the other added ingredients are cocoa bean powder and sugar.
Milk chocolate contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter, but in much smaller percentage. It also contains milk powder and sugar which gives it a smoother, creamier and sweeter taste. But then one might ask is white chocolate real chocolate? To tell the truth, white chocolate does not contain cocoa solids at all; it only contains a small percentage of cocoa butter along with sugar and milk.
7 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
The easiest way to determine the healthiest type of chocolate is by knowing the health benefits of the different types of chocolates. Let us begin with the health benefits of dark chocolate that contains the highest percentage of cocoa.
Rich Source of Health Benefiting Minerals and Nutrients
The high concentration of essential minerals in dark chocolate is what makes it the winner among all the varieties and it is one of the remarkable health benefits of chocolate consumption on a daily basis. Dark chocolate contains a high concentration of cocoa along with the decent amount of soluble fibers and minerals such as iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.
The fatty acids present in dark chocolate are mostly monounsaturated and saturated fats along with small amounts of polyunsaturated fats that help in the healthy functioning of the heart. Dark chocolate also contains stimulants such as theobromine and caffeine which are beneficial for health when taken in limited quantity.
Aids Weight Loss
The topic of dark chocolate weight loss is quite a common one in the health circle.
Dark chocolate helps to promote weight loss and prevent unhealthy late night food cravings that are one of the main reasons for obesity and overweight issues. Consuming 1 ounce of dark chocolate with 70 to 85% cocoa content 3 times a week can help to lose extra body weight.
Dark chocolate is rich in soluble fibers that help you to stay full and satiated for a longer period of time and cuts out the craving for fatty, salty and sweet foods.It also helps to speed up the metabolism so that the body burns more calories.
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