The Top 7 Chocolate Myths

The effect of eating chocolate to one’s health has always been a controversial topic. This holiday season, chocolates in all forms, shapes and sizes are likely to find their way to you. But does chocolate indulgence really come at a price? Is chocolate good or bad for you?

Here are some of the most common misconceptions about chocolate and the facts to set the record straight:

1. 1. Chocolate causes acne – Breakouts have been blamed on chocolate consumption for decades but no studies have found a link between eating chocolate and the appearance of acne. A study done at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine showed that those who ate excessive amounts of chocolate did not increase their risk of acne.
    
2. 2. Chocolate causes allergies – Chocolate products are often blamed for allergic reactions but it is a rare occurrence that the allergen is the chocolate itself because only about two percent of people have allergies to chocolate. Most of the time, the other ingredients combined with chocolate, like corn syrup, milk, nuts and soy, are the ones causing the allergic reactions.
    
3. 3. Chocolate causes cavities and tooth decay – Cavities are formed when bacteria in your mouth metabolizes sugars and starches from any type of food, including bread, candy, juice, pasta, rice and soda, to produce acid, which then eats through the enamel of your tooth. Chocolate is therefore not a single factor that contributes to cavities. In fact, the naturally-occurring fat in chocolate helps chocolate products clear your mouth faster than other candy, meaning its sugars have a shorter time to interact with your teeth’s surfaces.
    
4. 4. Chocolate causes headaches and migraines – Studies have eliminated chocolate as a food likely to cause headaches.
    
5. 5. Chocolate causes weight gain – Organic dark chocolate in a meal replacement bar, when consumed in moderation, can be considered a health product. The average chocolate bar contains around 220 calories, which is still low enough to be included as part of a weight loss diet if other calorie-loaded foods are eliminated.
    
6. 6. Chocolate is loaded with caffeine – Sure, chocolate products will perk you up but chocolate is actually not very high in caffeine. It does contain theobromine, an alkaloid substance chemically related to but milder than caffeine, which helps stop persistent cough.
    
7. 7. Chocolate raises your cholesterol levels – Chocolate is rich in saturated fats but it is not a major contributor to high cholesterol. Chocolate, in moderation, does not negatively impact your blood cholesterol levels, and dark chocolate, in particular, can help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Studies also show that dark chocolate can help reduce the rate of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure and reduce blood vessel inflammation.

If you’re looking for a chocolate product that you can consume without getting any guilty pangs, Dr. Joseph Mercola’s all-new cocoa cassava bar is just the thing for you. Dr. Mercola’s new and improved natural energy bar is now USDA-certified organic! Along with rich organic dark chocolate and organic raw cacao, Mercola’s cocoa cassava bars are made using organic cassava flour, organic unsweetened coconut, organic raw agave syrup, organic raw almond butter and organic raw chia seeds, giving you one of the best and most health-promoting chocolate snacks in the market today.

This delicious and nutritious natural health bar will be available at Mercola.com next year so keep posted!

Share