Nothing says “love” on Valentine’s Day like a tasty box of chocolates. Western Pennsylvania has more than its fair share of fine purveyors, from Sarris Candies to Betsy Ann to Fudgie Wudgie. And besides, chocolate is good for you, right?
Well, yes and no. The chocolate Americans tend to prefer in candy bars and boxed samplers is mostly refined sugar. Handing your darling a box of the stuff on February 14 may be sweet, but don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s somehow healthy. Excessive sugar consumption has links to overweight, dental problems, type 2 diabetes and even some forms of cancer.
To get any benefit from chocolate, it needs to be dark –the darker, the better. That doesn’t mean the funny-looking almost-black pieces in the candy sampler. It means chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70%, preferably higher.
Find out what's happening in Forest Hills-Regent Squarefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
An acquired taste for many of us, dark chocolate of this variety is packed with phytochemicals – natural, plant-based nutrients – called flavanals (different from flavonols, which are in green tea). Flavanals have antioxidant properties, which means they fight the damage done to your cells in the normal course of aging. They also combat the effects of toxins like cigarette smoke and other environmental poisons.
Most famously, flavanols support heart health, helping to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart and brain. Much of the fat in dark chocolate turns out to be good for you, too – oleic acid is a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
Find out what's happening in Forest Hills-Regent Squarefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Still, most of the dark chocolate bars on the market have sugar in them. Look for brands with the least sugar per serving, and watch your portion size. An ounce of dark chocolate a few times a week is all you need to get the benefits. Enjoy it with a cup of green tea, and you’re getting a super-boost of heart-healthy nutrients.
Better yet, go sugarless and try some raw cocoa nibs. Sprinkle them into homemade trail mix made with nuts, or top a serving of fruit with some crunchy flecks. They have a satisfying texture, although the flavor may require some adjustment for most American taste buds.
Life is like a box of chocolates, Forrest Gump told us – you never know what you’re going to get. But come to think of it, now you do. Choose dark chocolate over milk or white for sweeter, better health.