How much Chocolate per Day
It is a well-known fact that chocolate is delicious. But what many people don't know is that it also has some impressive health benefits. In moderation, eating chocolate can help improve your cardiovascular health, reduce stress levels, and even make you smarter!
The first thing to answer, before answering the question of how much chocolate per day, is Is it safe to consume chocolate daily.
Is it good to consume chocolates daily?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat chocolate every day. In fact, there are even some health benefits to eating chocolate on a daily basis!
Short-term effects of eating chocolate
Short-term effects of eating chocolate include improved mood and increased alertness.
Medium-term effects of eating chocolate
Medium-term effects of eating chocolate include improved blood flow and reduced risk of heart disease.
Long-term effects of eating chocolate
Some of the long-term effects of eating chocolate include lower blood pressure, reduced risk of stroke, and reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.
However, it's important to remember that chocolate is a high-calorie food, so moderation is key.
How much chocolate can I eat a day?
Now that we know that eating chocolate can be part of a healthy diet, let's answer the question of how much chocolate per day.
The answer is a bit more complicated than you can imagine. While it is safe to consume the chocolate, the following factors determine how much chocolate per day,
Your Age
Your Activity Level
Calories in the Chocolate
Type of Chocolate
Based on Age
A person's age is one of the primary determining factors of how much chocolate they can eat per day. For example, a young child who is still growing and developing can safely consume more chocolate than an elderly person who is more susceptible to health problems.
Here are some guidelines for how much chocolate you can eat based on your age:
Children: Up to 50 grams per day
Teens: Up to 80 grams per day
Adults: Up to 25 grams per day
Elderly adults: Up to 25 grams every other day
Based on Activity Level
A person's activity level is another important factor to consider when determining how much chocolate they can eat per day. A sedentary person who doesn't get much exercise will need less chocolate than an active person who works out regularly.
Here are some guidelines for how much chocolate you can eat based on your activity level:
Sedentary adults: Up to 25 grams per day
Active adults: Up to 50 grams per day
Based on Calories in the Chocolate
The number of calories in a piece of chocolate is also a significant factor to consider when trying to answer the question of how much chocolate per day. A small piece of dark chocolate with few calories will allow you to eat more than a large piece of milk chocolate with many calories.
A milk chocolate bar may have as many as 240 calories, while a dark chocolate bar with a high percentage of cacao may have as few as 160 calories.
Here are some guidelines for how much chocolate you can eat based on the number of calories in the chocolate:
Chocolate with fewer than 50 calories: Up to 5 pieces per day
Chocolate with 50-100 calories: Up to 3 pieces per day
Chocolate with more than 100 calories: Up to 2 pieces per day
Type of Chocolate
The type of chocolate you eat also plays a role in how much chocolate per day. Dark chocolate and milk chocolate have different effects on the body, so it's important to choose wisely.
Dark chocolate contains higher cacao content and lesser sugar content, while milk chocolate is higher in sugar and lower in cacao. Dark chocolate has been shown to have more health benefits than milk chocolate, so it's the better choice if you're looking to improve your health.
Here are some guidelines for how much dark chocolate and milk chocolate you can eat per day:
How much Milk chocolate: Up to 3 pieces per day
How much Dark chocolate: Up to 9 pieces per day
How much White chocolate: Up to 2 pieces per day
At the end of the day, the best way to figure out how much chocolate is right for you is to listen to your body. If you feel like you're starting to eat too much chocolate, cut back a bit and see how you feel. Moderation is key when it comes to eating chocolate, so make sure you're not overdoing it.
What benefits that you expect from consuming the Chocolates regularly?
Some potential benefits of consuming chocolate regularly include:
1. Improved heart health:
Chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. One study found that people who ate chocolate regularly had a lower risk of heart disease.
2. Lower blood pressure:
The flavonoids in chocolate can help to relaxation of the blood vessels, which can lead to lower blood pressure. One study found that people who ate dark chocolate had lower blood pressure than those who didn't eat chocolate.
3. Improved brain function:
The caffeine and antioxidants in chocolate can help to improve brain function and cognitive performance.
Studies have shown that cocoa flavanols, the compounds in chocolate that are responsible for its health benefits, can improve cognitive function.
4. Reduced risk of stroke:
The flavonoids in chocolate may help to reduce the risk of stroke by improving blood flow to the brain and reducing inflammation. A higher intake of chocolate has been linked to a reduced risk of stroke.
One study found that people who ate the most chocolate had a 22% lower risk of stroke than those who ate the least amount of chocolate.
5. Improved skin health:
The antioxidants in chocolate can help to improve skin health by reducing inflammation and protecting the skin from damage.
Studies have found that cocoa flavanols can improve skin elasticity and hydration, and reduce skin roughness.
6. Reduced risk of cancer:
The antioxidants in chocolate may help to protect cells from damage and reduce the risk of cancer. One study found that people who ate chocolate regularly had a lower risk of colon cancer.
7. Weight loss:
The antioxidants and fiber in chocolate can help to promote weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing metabolism.
One study found that people who ate dark chocolate had a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who didn't eat chocolate.
8. Reduced risk of cancer:
The antioxidants in chocolate may help to reduce the risk of some types of cancer, such as colon cancer.
9. Improved mental health:
The flavonoids in chocolate can help to improve mood and reduce stress levels. One study found that people who ate chocolate had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
10. Better sleep:
The magnesium in chocolate can help to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation.
Enjoy this Super treat in moderation!
Moderation is key when it comes to enjoying any type of food, and that includes chocolate! While it’s true that this delicious treat can offer some health benefits, eating too much of it can lead to weight gain and other problems.
Now that you know how much chocolate you can eat per day, it's time to get out there and enjoy some delicious chocolate! Just remember to moderation and listen to your body, and you'll be fine. Thanks for reading!