Dark Chocolate

Key Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Made from cacao tree beans, chocolate dates back to the ancient Mayans, and most experts believe it dates even earlier to the Olmec people of southern Mexico, as early as 1500 B.C. Today, many people enjoy chocolate in many forms, with dark chocolate having more benefits than highly processed candy bars.

Traditionally, cacao beans were fermented, roasted, and ground and used in several culinary, medicinal, and ceremonial applications. Nowadays, Canadians are among the largest consumers of chocolate, with the average person consuming a whopping 6.4 kg per year, or 160 chocolate bars. Indeed, the global annual chocolate consumption is just under 2 pounds per person—that's 16 billion pounds of chocolate a year.

High-cacao-content dark chocolate has seen an especially significant increase in popularity over the last decade. In fact, according to 6Wresearch, there has been a growing demand for premium dark chocolate throughout North America and a rising preference for healthier alternatives to regular, run-of-the-mill chocolate bars.

Is dark chocolate healthy? Dark chocolate is brimming with powerful antioxidant flavonoids and polyphenols. It offers myriad health benefits, including protection from oxidative stress, the promotion of cardiovascular health, a better lipid profile, enhanced cognitive function, and improved satiety—oh, and it also happens to be delicious!

Why Dark Chocolate is Beneficial for Your Health

• Antioxidant-Rich
• Energy Booster
• Healthy Sweet Treat
• High in Fibre & Loaded With Manganese, Copper, Iron and Magnesium
• Satisfies Sugar Cravings

Choosing the Best Dark Chocolate: Features to Consider

Quality dark chocolate should contain between 50 and 90% antioxidant-rich cocoa solids, in contrast to milk chocolate, which typically only contains 10 to 50% cocoa solids. Of course, conventional chocolate/milk chocolate bars often also have several unhealthy ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, sugar alcohols, "natural flavours," palm kernel oil, and many others.

Good-quality dark chocolate can be purchased online or through your friendly neighbourhood health food store, as well as in artisanal markets and specialty shops. Look for 100% pure, fair-trade certified organic chocolate with a minimum of 50% cacao, according to your taste or preference. Keep in mind that the higher the cacao content, the more bitter the chocolate will be; however the more dark chocolate benefits too.

Back to Top ↑