What is the composition of black and dark chocolate? The benefits and harms of the product for the human body

Chemical composition

Nutritional and energy value (calorie content and nutritional value) of dark chocolate per 100 grams:

• 550 kcal;
• 4.88 g protein;
• 31.3 g fat;
• 612 g carbohydrates.

Many people will be wondering how many calories are in one piece of dark chocolate. Such a particle weighing 7 g contains 38 kcal.

Important!

The glycemic index of dark chocolate is 25-40 units.

The treat contains vitamins:

• A;
• beta-carotene;
• E;
• TO;
• AT 2;
• AT 3;
• AT 5;
• AT 12.

Dark chocolate has a high concentration of vital macro- and microelements. The dessert contains minerals:

• iron;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• sodium;
• zinc;
• copper;
• selenium;
• manganese.

Dark chocolate also contains:

• tannins;
• phytonutrients;
• antioxidants;
• caffeine.

Harm of dark chocolate

Even dark chocolate can be harmful to your health. This mainly concerns low-quality products that can be distinguished by taste. High-quality chocolate (dark) will have a bitter taste, while low-quality chocolate will become sour. Eating such chocolate can have a detrimental effect on the gastrointestinal tract, increasing acidity and thereby causing gastritis.

Chocolate is a high-calorie product, and its amount per day should not exceed the recommended dose (no more than 45 grams!). It can cause obesity, or simply be deposited as excess on the waist.

Even dark chocolate is not recommended for diabetics. Under no circumstances should it be given to children under three years of age.

If you are allergic to chocolate products, you should never eat dark chocolate, because it contains a large amount of cocoa powder and butter.

What should be the composition of dark chocolate according to GOST?

The basis of the composition of high-quality dark chocolate according to GOST 31721-2012 is:

1. grated cocoa;
2. cocoa butter (at least 20%);
3. sugar.

The treat may also include:

• additions: nuts, peanuts, candied fruits, dried fruits, waffles, coconut flakes;
• filling: yogurt, jam, preserves, caramel;
• aromatic additives: coffee, cognac, ethyl alcohol, pepper, vanilla;
• thickeners and stabilizers: soy lecithin.

Instead of sugar, sweeteners can be added to chocolate:

1. erythritol;
2. stevia;
3. maltitol

Composition of aromatic and sweet dietary product

Do you know what dark chocolate is made from? This wonderful delicacy consists of the following ingredients:

• grated cocoa;
• cacao butter;
• powdered sugar.

By changing the proportions of grated cocoa and powdered sugar, chocolate manufacturers change the taste of the product - from sweet to bitter. The more grated cocoa in a delicacy, the more bitter it tastes and the more aromatic it is.

What are the benefits and harms for the human body?

Useful properties of dessert:

• improves mood, promotes a feeling of joy;
• provides prevention of cardiovascular diseases, anemia and diabetes;
• strengthens joints;
• increases stress resistance;
• improves blood counts;
• increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
• strengthens gums;
• stabilizes blood pressure;
• gives a feeling of satiety.

If consumed in excess, dark chocolate can cause:

1. increased blood pressure and pulse;
2. nausea;
3. vomiting;
4. flatulence.

For men

Benefits of the product for men:

• stabilizes blood cholesterol levels;
• increases the body's endurance;
• helps to quickly recover after intense physical activity;
• strengthens muscles.

Attention!

When men overeat dark chocolate, the likelihood of prostate pathologies increases.

For women

Useful properties of treats for women:

• improves the condition of nails and hair;
• slows down the aging process;
• helps to establish hormonal balance;
• reduces the intensity of PMS symptoms;
• increases sexual desire and libido;
• speeds up metabolism;
• reduces headaches.

Although dark chocolate is very healthy for women, it is still a high-calorie dessert. Excessive consumption of treats increases the overall energy value of the diet, which leads to excess weight gain and metabolic disorders.

The product in large quantities can also cause the formation of pimples and blackheads on the face.

When breastfeeding

Dark chocolate reduces hair loss in a young mother during the postpartum period, improves her mood, and reduces the likelihood of depression. The product also has a beneficial effect on the quality of breast milk. A young mother should eat chocolate in small quantities, as the product can cause colic in the baby.

During pregnancy

Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals and promotes the proper development of the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy. Subject to the norms of consumption and in the absence of contraindications, dark chocolate does not pose a threat to the health of the expectant mother and child. When a pregnant woman overeats a product, her blood pressure increases, which negatively affects the baby’s well-being.

For children

Benefits for children and teenagers:

• stimulates brain function, helps to absorb information faster;
• fights fatigue during mental stress;
• minimizes the risk of developing caries;
• reduces sore throat and other symptoms of colds;
• strengthens the immune system.

You should not give children too much chocolate : the product in large quantities can cause hyperactivity, insomnia and allergies in a child.

The benefits of dark chocolate

1. Antioxidant activity

Dark chocolate is loaded with biologically active compounds - antioxidants, the main task of which is to fight oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a process of cell damage that is caused by exposure to reactive oxygen species and free radicals. I think many people have heard about free radicals. The more free radicals in the body, the higher the risk of many diseases of the 21st century. Neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases are especially in the lead. In addition, oxidative stress is associated with the progression of aging.

The benefits of dark chocolate in fighting free radical damage are mainly due to compounds such as polyphenols, flavanols and catechins.

A recent study found that cocoa and dark chocolate contained more antioxidant activity, polyphenols and flavanols than other fruits tested, such as acai berries and blueberries.

1. Heart protection

Flavanols, chemicals found in dark chocolate, have benefits for heart health. Dark chocolate contains 2-3 times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids than milk chocolate. Flavanols have been shown to support the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the endothelium (the inner cellular lining of blood vessels), which helps relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, thereby lowering blood pressure. And several observational studies have shown a link between chocolate consumption and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It turns out that dark chocolate is good for our heart. Don't deny yourself the pleasure!

1. Improvement of cognitive functions

And again we sing odes to flavanols, which are contained in the main component of dark chocolate - cocoa! One study of 90 older adults found that regular consumption of flavanols reduced age-related cognitive dysfunction. Unfortunately, dementia (dementia) is a common phenomenon not only in the United States, but also in Russia among older people.

Another study of 2,000 older adults aged 70 to 74 examined the relationship between consumption of flavonoid-rich chocolate, wine and tea and cognitive performance. As a result, people who consumed dark chocolate performed better on intelligence tests.

N. _ B. ! It turns out it was not for nothing that our teachers at school advised us to eat chocolate before an important exam. True, they did not take into account the fact that the benefits would come exclusively from dark chocolate, and not from the much-loved Milka.

1. Good mood

Many people have heard that dark chocolate is good for our mental well-being. And now an interesting fact for you. One study of 72 people found that polyphenols found in cocoa improved mood. Healthy participants were divided into three groups. Some received 500 mg of polyphenols from the chocolate drink, others - 250 mg, and the rest - 0 mg. The mood of the participants was tested a few hours after taking the drink, as well as after 30 days of this peculiar treatment! Scientists were surprised when they found a positive connection between a high dose of polyphenols in a chocolate drink and an increased sense of calm and satisfaction.

NB! Enjoy dark chocolate, slowly savoring each piece, and do not deprive yourself of the little joys in life!

1. Sun protection

The skeptics must have fainted by now. Don't worry, you're supposed to eat the chocolate, not spread it all over your body in a sexy way! In one study of 30 people, regular consumption of dark chocolate, rich in flavanols, was shown to protect human skin from UV radiation. By the way, regular chocolate does not have this effect.

These advantages sound even too rosy, but for the sake of objectivity, we should warn about negative effects too.

Which type of product is healthier?

To decide which type of treat is healthier, you should pay attention to the chemical composition of different types of chocolate.

Despite the fact that dark and bitter types of dessert contain the maximum amount of calories and fat , they are recognized as the most beneficial for human health.

The increased calorie content of these types of chocolate is explained by the fact that cocoa products have a higher energy value than sugar or milk powder. The high fat content of dark and bitter chocolate indicates a significant content of valuable cocoa butter.

Unlike other types of treats, dark and black types of chocolate contain a minimal amount of sugar and carbohydrates.

At the same time, high cocoa content bars are a valuable source of minerals, including:

• gland;
• magnesium;
• porcelain;
• copper;
• manganese

Chocolate and its calorie content

When calculating a diet, compiling a daily diet, it is customary to calculate the number of kcal in each product. But what to do when the energy value of chocolate differs from different sources? It's quite simple. Different chocolates contain different amounts of calories.

If we consider the calorie content of dark chocolate in comparison with other types of this product, the picture will be as follows:

• Creamy white chocolate up to 700 calories is considered the highest in calories;
• milk chocolate, due to its high sugar content, has a calorie content of 550 to 680 kcal;
• dark chocolate, depending on the cocoa content, has an energy value of 500 to 540 kcal.

That is, if we consider all types of chocolate and evaluate their caloric content, dark chocolate without additives is the least high-calorie product, and therefore most often used in various diets.

Selection rules

To buy a quality treat, you need to study the label in detail:

1. The front of the wrapper should say “dark chocolate” and indicate the percentage of cocoa solids. If the packaging says “chocolate dessert”, “chocolate bar” - this product has nothing to do with real dark chocolate.
2. The content of cocoa products in chocolate should not be less than 40%.
3. The back of the label indicates the standard according to which the confectionery product was produced. Real chocolate is made according to GOST, but if the package says TU, you shouldn’t buy such a dessert.
4. The composition should list cocoa products first, and only then sugar. It is not allowed to contain codes with the letter E and numbers, as well as dairy products, preservatives, synthetic flavors, flour and thickeners other than lecithin.
5. The shelf life of high-quality tiles does not exceed 12 months.

The wrapper should not have paint or glue drips, as well as foreign odors, all inscriptions should be made clearly and without grammatical errors, the printing should be clear and bright. If the product is packaged carelessly, traces of glue are visible on the label, and the quality of the wrapper is questionable, you should refuse the purchase, since with a high degree of probability this product is counterfeit.

Attention!

You should not blindly trust the packaging; the purchased dessert must be carefully inspected. The tile must have a smooth glossy surface without visible defects.

The so-called “greying” of the surface of the bar is not typical for high-quality chocolate; such a dessert does not comply with GOST.

The structure of the chocolate should be uniform, and the filling should be distributed evenly throughout the entire volume of the bar. Good dark chocolate has a rich, pleasant aroma and taste of cocoa. If the tile is too sweet or has an off-flavor, the product is of poor quality.

The Differences of Dark Chocolate

Dark bitter chocolate is considered the healthiest, because it contains little or no sugar, much more cocoa powder than other varieties, and it has the lowest calorie content.

Dark varieties of chocolate with a deeper taste have a slight bitterness and can only please true gourmets. Dark chocolate differs from milk chocolate in that it does not contain milk powder, which changes color, taste, and aroma. Dairy products are more popular with children and those with a real sweet tooth.

White and dark chocolate are completely different products. The composition of the first completely excludes such an ingredient as cocoa powder, and it gets its chocolate taste thanks to cocoa butter.