Why You Should Incorporate Dark Chocolate into Your Diet
Written by Heather King
Good news for chocolate lovers! Dark chocolate has health benefits—the higher the cocoa content, the better for you.
Look for dark chocolate with a minimum of 70% cocoa content to provide the most potential benefits. Additionally, dark chocolate should not contain any milk—which also explains why milk chocolate is called milk chocolate.
Milk chocolate generally includes 10-50% cocoa solids and milk in some form, while the best dark chocolate has three simple ingredients: 50-90% cocoa, cocoa butter, and sugar.
Now that we understand the differences between milk and dark chocolate, let’s look at the health benefits of dark chocolate.
Heart Health
Cocoa is rich in flavanols, plant chemicals that help to protect the heart. Research has shown that the flavanols in dark chocolate can improve heart health by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow. Dark chocolate has 2-3 times more flavanol than milk chocolate.
Dark chocolate also contains high levels of antioxidants, which help combat free radicals in the body. This can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.
Studies have shown that dark chocolate may also help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, further helping to lower the risk of heart disease.
Boost Energy and Reduce Stress
Dark chocolate contains caffeine, which can give you a delicious energy boost. Two ounces of 70% dark chocolate contains 50-60 mg of caffeine (while an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 100-200 milligrams of caffeine).
Even better, it’s also packed with a compound called phenylethylamine that triggers the release of endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress.
Brain Function
The flavanols in dark chocolate may also improve brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain and enhancing cognitive function.
Blood Sugar Levels
Some studies suggest that dark chocolate may help maintain blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. This can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Anti-aging benefits
Dark chocolate may even help you look younger. The antioxidants in dark chocolate may have anti-aging benefits, such as reducing wrinkles and increasing skin elasticity.
Whether looking to improve cardiovascular health, enhance cognitive function or indulge your sweet tooth, dark chocolate can be a healthy choice and a beloved treat.
Enjoy Cache Toffee’s Dark Chocolate Products
Our Traditional Dark toffee is made for dark chocolate lovers. Artisan Madagascar dark chocolate brings a hint of fruitiness to this toffee and is combined with chopped cashews and our signature crunchy, buttery toffee. A sprinkle of sea salt creates an exotic, sweet/salty balance on the palate.
Add some spice to your life with Tango. A kick of zesty heat counters the buttery cashews—all wrapped up in a bean-to-bar dark chocolate blend with a touch of lime sea salt and a spritz of tequila.
A match made in culinary heaven, Brew is our toffee coffee combo. Rich Bolivian dark chocolate is paired with a robust coffee mixed with almonds and a uniquely sweet hazelnut before being drizzled with white chocolate.
So start taking advantage of all that dark chocolate offers and enjoy its many delicious benefits for your overall health and well-being today!