Health and Wellness Product …. Mom always said there is no Healthy Chocolate!

Health and Wellness Product will now look at some of the old chocolate myths….. We gathered this information from Chocolate Facts on Health and Nutrition for Educators and Health Professionals…..

I know, your Mom always said that it if tastes good, then it can’t be good for you, but let’s check out some of the recent studies.

Myth: Chocolate is high in caffeine.

Truth: The amount of caffeine in a piece of chocolate candy is significantly lower than that in coffee, tea or cola drinks. For instance, a 5 oz cup of instant coffee has between 40 and 108 mg of caffeine, while a one oz milk chocolate bar contains only 6 mg.

Myth: Chocolate has a high fat content and will lead to weight gain.

Truth: "Chocolate, in moderation, can be part of low-fat eating. In fact, an occasional sweet treat helps you stick to a healthy eating plan." - Annette B. Natow, Ph.D., R.D., author of The Fat Counter and The Fat Attack Plan

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Cholesterol

Q. What is the level of cholesterol in a 1.65 oz. bar of milk chocolate?

A. The American Heart Association recommends that daily cholesterol intake not exceed 300 mg. A chocolate bar is actually low in cholesterol. A 1.65 oz. bar contains only 12 mg! A one oz piece of cheddar cheese contains 30 mg of cholesterol - more than double the amount found in a chocolate bar.

Sodium

Q. What is the level of sodium in a one oz milk chocolate bar?

A. According to the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, the maximum Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for sodium is 1,100 to 3,300 mg daily. A 1.5 oz milk chocolate bar contains 41 mg, while the same size dark chocolate bar contains only 5 mg.

OK, Health and Wellness Product research is going to delve deeper into the dark chocolate mystery next time with information on antioxidants, ORAC and blood pressure....XOCAI touts success with all of these issues!