The Truth About Chocolate

If you’re confused when it comes to chocolate, you’re not alone. A health food? A tasty indulgence? Maybe a little of both? That’s the topic of my Today Show segment. I hope you’ll find the answers to your questions, and also post a note with your own thoughts!

Watch the segment from TODAY
Some basic chocolate “truths”:

1. Chocolate comes from a plant – it’s the seeds (within the pods) of the cacao tree. It’s naturally very bitter; if you munched on a cacao bean, you would find a very harsh and bitter taste, nothing like chocolate as we know it.
2. Chocolate varies in its preparation. There are government regulations of what can be called “chocolate”, depending on its ratio of: cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, and milk. Ranging from baking chocolate (almost no added sugars), to dark chocolate (limited sugar and abundant cocoa solids), to milk chocolate (lots of sugar, added milk, and less cocoa solids), to “white” chocolate (NOT classified as chocolate at all, because it has no cocoa solids!)
3. A special type of antioxidant is found in cocoa solids, called “flavanols”, which are where the health-promoting heart healthy claims of chocolate come from. This is dose related, meaning the more you eat, the more flavanols you consume. As a comparison, it takes nearly four ounces (that’s 3-4 regular size dark chocolate bars), consumed every day to promote a reduction in blood pressure! That’s 500 calories and 42 grams of fat!
4. The new “super cocoas” are the wave of the future to harness the health benefits associated with the flavanols. The first of these is a Flavanol Rich Chocolate (containing 200 mg per serving – that’s a lot!), produced by the company, Cocoa Via. It’s the active ingredient, without the sugar and fat of a regular chocolate bar.
5. Chocolate is also a “carrier” for other nutrients, which are unrelated to the activity of the flavanols. Calcium fortified chocolates (in milk and dark varieties) provide ½ the daily calcium requirement in one disk (at 30 calories), plus vitamin D. Plus, phytosterols (plant chemicals) are added to some chocolates to boost the cholesterol lowering ability of the product (Cocoa Via bars with 80-100 calories each). Again, any potential health benefits come from regular – daily – consumption.

Bottom line? Enjoy a modest serving of chocolate IF you enjoy it. Don’t start consuming chocolate as an addition to a “healthy diet”. Calories count, so monitor your portions, and allow a small indulgence. You don’t need to justify a chocolate treat for the health benefits of chocolate. While there are some health benefits to flavanols, they’re also present in a variety of other foods, including apples, grapes, wine (fermented grapes!), and tea.

As with all things eaten, moderation is key! What are your thoughts?

Comments

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I love chocolate! What do you mean by "moderation"? lol. Bite size servings?

ok..we all love chocolate, BUT, I have to be on a caffiene free diet....so is there caffiene free chocolate?

I was disappointed that you skipped right over raw cacao (not cocoa, by the way - chocolate comes from the cacao tree) on Today. Chocolate, in the highly-processed forms that you showed it, is not a health food, but raw cacao most certainly is. There are a variety of raw cacao products available at most natural food stores. If you'd like some better-researched info on chocolate, read 'Naked Chocolate' by David Wolfe.

If you would like some information about unprocessed, no caffiene chocolate, check out mxicorp.com. Healthy chocolate is not an oxymoron, and you don't have to worry about moderation!

You need to research Xocia Healthy Dark Chocolate by MXI. It really is healthy,
uncooked chocolate. Just ask Dr. Steve Warren at www.mydrchocolate.com

You hit all of the key points of why I love Xocai Healthy Chocolate and I eat it everyday and I have seen health benefits that I can attribute directly to the use of this "super chocolate"! Wow!

I am a lover of chocolate ,especially the Xocai healthy chocolate by MXI. I will never go back to store bought over processed products.I would like to see a segment done by Dr. Warren along with Dr. Madelyn to discuss the cold press process and the benefits of this processing procedure...you would absolutely be amazed.

healthy by chocolate brand products- enough said.

I think you mean "health by chocolate", the website is www.healthbychocolate.com.

They have three varieties of low-cal, low-glycemic dark chocolate (serving size for the bars is 80 cals and the mini-bars are only 25 cals apiece). They add essential vitamins and minerals to their chocolate to make them "functional":

Instant Bliss Beauty Bar and drink for beautiful skin with lutein, lycopene, astaxanthin, cranberry seed oil (rich in vitamin E and omegas-3 and 6) and a hint of blueberries.

Beautiful Bones Bar supports healthy bones, with a whole day’s worth of calcium, vitamins D and K.

Women's Wonder Bar which combats the symptoms of PMS and menopause contains chaste tree berry, flax, soy, and rose oil.

You can find the bars at whole foods and natural food stores- the minis (which I love) are available online.

Enjoy.

Again. You people have some nerve. Taking advantage of your ignorant viewers and dumbing them down ever further in the process. Whatever it takes to maximize your bottom line and that of your parent company GE. Who just happens to produce medical testing equipment like MRI and CAT. Right off the bat, you failed to mention your conflict of interest. The 'Today' show is nothing but a giant marketing stunt. In fact, the same can be said for nearly every show produced after the millenium. The commercial messages are now so frequent, its impossible to keep up with them. But most plug the health care industry. Unfortunately, your rotten tactics actually work. As a society, we are over-tested, over-diagnosed, over-medicated, plagued with the side effects, and further in debt because of it. The rising cost of health care (along with your profits) will certainly contribute to the worst US depression of all time. Still, you do everything within your power to dumb down your viewers and maximize that bottom line. Today's segment on health care also failed to mention the incredible greed and corruption within the industry. There has been a MASSIVE campaign to get every American hooked on medical testing and pharmaceuticals. Nearly every public figure takes part. Often with a mention of some over-priced and over-hyped drug, test, or procedure. For example: Hank Azaria (prednizone), Tony Danza (Viagra), Carson Daily (Ambien), Katie Couric (colonoscipy), Dr Phil (anti-depressants), ect. The same can be said for nearly every TV show. For example: Deal or No Deal, Law and Order, Amnesia, The Apprentice, Numbers, The Simpsons, American Dad, ER, House, Grey's Anatomy, The View, Today, Ellen, Oprah, Dancing With the Stars, ET, Insider, Big Brother, Biggest Looser, CSI, and nearly every cable show as well. Its become very predictable. Every other scene will plug the health care industry. Always with the same implications: SEE YOUR DOCTOR. TAKE MORE DRUGS. GET MORE MEDICAL TESTING. HAVE BLIND FAITH IN THE INDUSTRY. THEY HAVE ONLY YOUR GOOD HEALTH IN MIND. For each and every plug, more ignorant fools run out and see their doctor. Now, we are a society of credit card, pharmaceutical, medical testing junkies. More demand on the industry which means higher profits for everyone involved. Your parent company, sponsors, coorporate partners, and nearly every money-hungry doctor in the book. There was a time when they had only the best of intentions. NOT ANYMORE. Now, the vast majority are greedy and insensitive. They take your vitals, ask a few simple questions, prescribe another over-priced and often unnecessary drug or test (for which they often invest as well), and rush you out of their office so they can see another patient and reap another $100 for 5 minutes of their time. We are led to believe that doctors have to charge such obscene rates to cover their educational costs and overhead. ITS A LIE. THE VAST MAJORITY ARE MILLIONAIRES. In general, doctors are the highest paid professionals of all. The majority own multiple homes, multiple high end vehicles, and boats. They travel the world and often attend 'educatial' seminars held at fancy resorts. With travel and accomidations covered by the drug industry under the condition or understanding that the doctors will prescribe their product in return. They are required to attend the 'educational' seminar for one hour. Otherwise, they are free to ski, swim, dine, or dance. All on the pharmaceutical dime. Call it a perk. I call it an INCENTIVE. The greed and corruption within the entire industry is nothing short of an epidemic. Still, you filthy pigs have the nerve to plug the industry at least a dozen times every day. Always with the implication that you have only our good health in mind. ITS A LIE. I'm not bashing the concept of health care. Only what the industry has become. AN EPIDEMIC OF GREED AND FRAUD.

Fellow viewers: Keep your eye out for the following commercial messages in nearly every TV show.

See your doctor more often. Take more drugs. Get more medical testing. Have cosmetic surgery. Become an organ doner. Give a kidney while you're still alive. Travel the world. In particular, Vegas, New York, Alaska, China, Rome, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands. Be sure to charge everything on your Capitol One or Citi Bank credit card. Search the web with Google. Go to I-Tunes and download your favorite music. Buy an I-Pod, I-Phone, and I-Book. Don't settle for a basic cell phone. Remodel your home. If you live in an apartment or trailer, then you are a second class citizen. Buy a house. Upgrade to high end appliances from Lowes or Home Depot. Don't forget the power generator. Go to college and help your relatives do the same. You are morally obligated to do so. Invest in the stock market. Don't worry about the economy. This volatility will all pass. Get a reverse mortgage on your home. Don't leave your major assets to your children. Spend them away instead. Live it up. Be a perfect little consumer junkie. GIVE US YOUR MONEY.

Seriously people. Don't fall for any of it. Don't take the word of any public figure. We are in for some incredibly hard times. Like nothing this country has ever seen before. The worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. Don't support the rich or their high profit low labor industries. Support the low end industries instead. Help the little guy as much as possible and the big guy as little as possible. We are in this mess because of greed. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL.

I love it . Many girls on M a r r y M i l l i o n a i r e .C o m love it!

I love chocolate, but surprising enough,I can go days and weeks and then get this craving,I know what it is,si I reach for the Muskateer mint bar,I eat one half and save the other half for later......health benefits I don't know but ymmy and satisfying yeas........keep on keeping us in line.....

I love chocolate, but surprising enough,I can go days and weeks and then get this craving,I know what it is,si I reach for the Muskateer mint bar,I eat one half and save the other half for later......health benefits I don't know but ymmy and satisfying yeas........keep on keeping us in line.....

Hi chocl8 is my hot favorite thing. Mostly nears and dears know that I like it 2 much that’s for I get many in gifts. U can say it is consisted in my daily routine food. Sum times I ate more then 1 bar in 1 day n sum times only one n sum times no .but if u count so no week is empty without enjoy the chocolates.
I have one problem which I want asked with u n that is I got information that it is the biggest part to become fatness is it right? Please guide which chocolates are best for health and how I can enjoy it without fear of fatness. Please tell the names of thata chocolates which will not cause of fatness n which will best for health.
And wt do u mean about" flavanols "this word is used in ur mail

i don't care what chocolate really is it's my weakness and i love it anyway

i don't care what chocolate really is it's my weakness and i love it anyway

Since natural cacao is bitter and has to be compounded with sugar and milk to make it sweet and enjoyable, why is it
that I seem to be allergic to some chocolate and not to others? Is there any wheat in any of these compounds used as a binder, and not in others? I am allergic to wheat. It is not listed on the packages. If it IS used can they please say so so that those of us who are allergic will know which kind we should buy? It would be so much appreciated. Or say Gluten Free on the label AND MEAN IT HONESTLY. Or change your formula so that you can HONESTLY say that you are gluten free. Migraine
headaches are no fun if we eat chocolate
that has wheat in it.

I get rashes and migraines from all but white chocolate. I also get rashes and migraines from anything with caffeine, so the cocoa solids must harbor the caffeine. It's ok, tho, I looooove white chocolate. Too bad good stuff is hard to find. :( I'm sure all the health benifits are absent from teh white choc too, but I'm still gonna eat every white choc kit-kat I find, before they're discontinued!

I love choclate too! Still i do agree with the idea of moderation.I am from India and Gautam Budha A great Saint and Philospher has said to live life well it is important to live in moderation,So about chocolates too i think this idea is right CHEERS!:)

i'm s chocolate addicted!!! weekly 2 bars at least (milk) :(

i'm s chocolate addicted!!! weekly 2 bars at least (milk) :(

i like to eat chocolates but to some extent... niether more nor less!!!

i am a chocolate baby,i know that too much of it makes me bigger in weight,though i used to feel relax in a way in taking some of it...i dont know with the rest of lovers to the chocolate but me?...My aint complete without it...to all of us who loves chocolates youre not alone... :)

I Seldomley crave chocolate.And after reading the artical i understood why.Your body speaks to you,and you need to listen to your body.And i agree that you should make your chocolate intake moderat.Although indulging once in a blue moon wont kill you.I whould like to comment on one of the articals.To the person whom accuse all doctors of being bad poeple.Where do you go when your sick?And if something whould have to happen to you ,and you needed medical care,and wont be able to do anything.Won't you be thankfull if a doctor saved your life,an you can be spared for your loved ones?These things they tell us about, is guide lines and you have to make up your mind and own decisions.And how other people spend their money is up to them.

Where can I get the Xocia chocolate or any others? I checked out the site, and it appears to be a job opportunity site. I live in southeastern Mass.

I am a distributor for xocai. Please contact me at my website.

Diane

what are the effects of consuming too much chocolates on a person's skin?

Sorry, click on my highlighted name, it will re-direct to my website.

Another nice write-up on nutrition.
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I AM A CHOCOHOLIC, PERIOD.....I AM A HEALTHY 59 YR OLD WOMAN...I DO MY DAILY WORKOUTS, AS IS REQUIRED FOR US ALL...I FIND THAT A GOOD OLD FASHIONED HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE BAR EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE, IS GOOD FOR MY SYSTEM...AS IS THE CASE WITH EVERYTHING....MODERATION....BUT, IF WE DO ALL IN MODERATION, WHAT'S THE PROB??? C'MON.....HAVING A DECENT HERSHEY'S BAR...W/OUT NUTS,GIVES ONE THE SAME OOMPH AS HAVING SEX...ALOT SAFER THAN SEX....NO PREGNANCY...=)SERIOUSLY...WHAT THE HECK??? M-O-D-E-R-A-T-I-O-N....HAVE A GOOD ONE...

I am 54 years old, Guyanese, with two daughters ages 24 and 22. I just love chocolate and eat it at least 3 times a week. By the Guyana is in South America.

I will only eat one type of chocolate- it's called Xocai and it's made from raw uprocessed cocoa, giving you the full health benefits! It tastes great and contains no refined sugar, preservatives, partially hydrogenated oils, or animal products.

Check out my website at http://www.got-healthy-chocolate.com

To learn more about chocolate go to chocolateaxtioxidants.info

WoW! All I can say is I love chocolate, the dark, mostly cocoa types, I would hardly let an article like this, whether true or not, change my feelings about chocolate. Everything is bad for us! If we don't give in to a sweet temptation like this, occasionally, we're going to feel deprived, and then maybe go eat a donut.Heck! Life's too short! Have a piece of chocolate; it's healthier than a pork chop!

I AM NOT FOND OF EATING CHOCOLATES COZ IT HAS LOTS OF CALORIES WHICH IS NOT GOOD FOR THE HEART. iF EVER U ARE TEMPTED TO EAT I MAY RATHER ADVISE EAT DARK CHOCOLATES WITH MODERATION.

thanks, i love chocolates too, though am really trying not to add to my weight. i read in a magazine some time ago that its good to take a bar or two after monthly period, how true is this?

Unfortunately, what ever the colour, be it white, dark, name it, i don't like chocolates at all. Anything made out of chocolate irretates me. This is ever since my child hood. If it were that all the health nutrients will be gotten only from chocolate, then someone like me would suffer from malnutrion.
Anyway, for those who love it, like it is said, eat with moderation for it is the best method if you want to be healthy. No matter the type, chocolates are fatty and is not good for the health.

I am the dietitian for Adora Calcium supplements, the chocolate calcium supplements mentioned in this video. I just want to note to those posters who experience headaches from chocolate. You are probably sensitive to the caffeine naturally present in the cacao. Unfortuntately nutrition labels don't list that information, but you can always ask the manufacturer because most do have that available. Adora Calcium contains only 5.16 mg of caffeine in 1 Dark Chocolate, and 1.82 mg in the 1 Milk Chocolate. We have also tested our antioxidant content which is 634 Orac units in Dark Chocolate Adora Calcium and 234 Orac units in Milk Chocolate Adora. While this information is helpful in assessing how healthy a chocolate is, it is still important to limit consumption to small portions, as Dr. Fernstrom emphasized. Adora has built-in portion control because you really shouldn't eat more than 2-3 per day because of the calcium content.

Ilove chocolate!!! i'm addicted. what can i do to reduce my chocolate intake .

If you feel "addicted" to chocolate, you might want to try adding cocoa powder to your diet. I add it to my morning coffee to tame some of my chocolate cravings while still providing me with the chocolate flavor and lots of antioxidants.

Re; Nudmas April '03 comments, please learn how to spell and then your comments will be so much easier to read. CHOCOLATE is great but only a few times per year.

well said ONE GUESS.. I ditto you :)

Everything's good in moderation...

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We are distributors of Xocai Healthy Chocolate in Southern CA. We'd like to add to the other comments about Xocai by MXI Corp. Xocai has Acai Berry and Blueberries added for more antioxidants. These sweetens the cocoa. It is also cold processed to maintain the full value of antioxidants. There are six products: Liquid, a cookie, power square, nugget, omega bar (orange/choc taste), protein bar so you have a variety of tastes and still get the health benefits of the chocolate. We have a video by a nutritionist who explains the products and the antioxidant benefits on our website at: www.antioxidantsindarkchocolate.com

Interesting topic!!! I have a cacao tree in my back yard. Is it healthy to eat the fresh fruit?...Yea yht raw bean does taste awful.

Well spoken One Guess. My father was a National Health Doctor paid by the month so he told his patients the truth. Michael More's film was great comparing the health systems. 4 out of 10 health problems are created by medication read in the "Lancet".
Chocolate is addictive because of the caffeine. Good for exam revising and all night stands!!!