Serious chocolate addiction

Is It Real or a Myth?

Chocolate is a sweet, creamy treat made from fermented, roasted, and ground cacao tree fruit.

People have enjoyed chocolate and similar treats made from cacao fruit for thousands of years. Today it’s eaten in many different ways and is arguably among the most popular foods — so you may even wonder if it’s addictive (1, 2).

This article compares healthy and unhealthy relationships with chocolate and addresses whether chocolate and its ingredients may be addictive.

Though this is still a controversial topic, a growing amount of research supports treating food addictions like other types of substance addictions (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Addictive foods impact many of the same brain and nervous system pathways typically affected by drug addictions. They might also elicit behaviors similar to those caused by other addictions (4, 5, 7, 8).

Thus, food addiction may occur when specific foods or nutrients repeatedly trigger your brain’s reward system.

Addictive properties

Some foods are believed to be more addictive than others.

Highly processed foods that are high in sugar and fat — like many types of chocolate — are often considered more addictive than less processed foods like fruits and vegetables (5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12).

Here’s a look at how much sugar, fat, and carbs an average 1.5-ounce (45-gram) serving of chocolate contains (13, 14, 15, 16, 17):

	Dark chocolate	Milk chocolate	White chocolate	Chocolate fudge	Chocolate syrup
Sugar	44% of the Daily Value (DV)	46% of the DV	53% of the DV	66% of the DV	54% of the DV
Total fat	19% of the DV	17% of the DV	19% of the DV	6% of the DV	0% of the DV
Total carbs	10% of the DV	10% of the DV	10% of the DV	13% of the DV	11% of the DV

As you can see, one serving of chocolate may contain up to half the DV for sugar and one-fifth of the DV for fat.

High carbohydrate foods — including chocolate and other sugary sweets — may cause addiction-like cravings. They also alter your blood sugar and hormone levels in ways similar to other addictive substances (5, 11).

Plus, these changes in blood levels affect dopamine in your body. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that plays an important role in your brain’s motivation and reward pathways (5, 6, 18, 19).

Measuring chocolate addiction

The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) is a tool developed at Yale University to measure food addiction and assess how addictive certain foods may be. It’s been one of the most commonly used tools by food addiction researchers to date (20, 21).

One study including more than 500 adults who used this tool found that chocolate was consistently ranked as one of the most problematic foods for addictive-like eating behaviors (22).

Similarly, another study including 100 children with overweight identified chocolate as the single most addictive food when using the scale (23).

Scientists have been investigating chocolate addictions for over 25 years now (24, 25, 26).

Still, some scientists believe that it’s not enough to rely on subjective self-reported data from tools like the YFAS and that a deeper understanding of food addiction is still needed in order to fully diagnose and treat the condition (3, 27, 28, 29, 30).

SUMMARY
Early food addiction research suggests that sugary foods like chocolate are more addictive than less processed foods. However, some scientists might say it’s too early to classify this treat as addictive.

Different types of chocolate contain different ingredients, though most have a few key ingredients in common. Some of these could be related to chocolate’s potentially addictive properties.

The main ingredients used to make chocolate are (31):

Cocoa mass. Fermented, roasted, de-shelled, and ground cocoa beans create this mass, also called chocolate liquor. It’s solid at room temperature but melts when heated. It’s often further processed but can also be eaten as-is as raw chocolate.
Cocoa butter. This is pure, natural cocoa bean fats that have been separated from the rest of the beans and concentrated.
Sugar. The amount and types used vary, and sometimes other natural or artificial sweeteners are used instead.
Milk. Dehydrated milk powder is often added to milk chocolate varieties, while condensed milk is used in fudge and truffles.
Vanilla. This is used as a flavor enhancer or to cut the bitterness of some roasted cocoa beans.
Other ingredients. Vegetable oils, natural and artificial flavors, emulsifiers like lecithin, and other additives help preserve chocolate and maintain a smooth texture.

You may have heard that certain types of chocolate have some health benefits. These are mainly attributed to antioxidants and other beneficial plant chemicals found in the pure cacao ingredients, which are the cocoa mass and cocoa butter (1, 32, 33).

Though cocoa butter has its perks, it’s also high in fat. This contributes to chocolate’s potential to be an addictive food — especially when combined with the large amount of sugar in some varieties.

Some scientists also question the role that food additives play in addictive eating. Food additives like flavoring and artificial sweeteners are often added to highly processed and hyper-palatable foods like chocolate (28).

So, one way to avoid the most potentially addictive types of chocolate is to eat varieties of chocolate that are less processed and lower in sugar and fat, especially in trans fat.

Many dark chocolate varieties are lower in sugar. Plus, dark varieties tend to have the greatest concentration of antioxidants and other healthy nutrients (33).

SUMMARY
The most addictive types of chocolate may be those highest in sugar and fat. Opting for dark varieties that are lower in sugar and fat may be a more nutritious way to enjoy this treat.

Though you may worry about eating chocolate and other foods that could be addictive, remember they can still be enjoyed from time to time as part of a healthy diet.

Signs of a healthy relationship with chocolate include:

allowing yourself to eat it as desired
not feeling upset, guilty, or shameful after eating it
enjoying it in moderation and overindulging only occasionally
being mindful of how much of it you eat and when
feeling at ease when eating it
feeling good about the balance you have with it

SUMMARY
All foods — including chocolate — can be enjoyed as part of a nutritious diet. Signs of a healthy relationship with this sweet treat include enjoying it in moderation and feeling at ease when you do so.

Developing an unhealthy relationship with chocolate — or any food — is possible.

Some behaviors that could relate to a chocolate addiction are:

labeling chocolate as “bad” or “off-limits”
often feeling stress or anxiety when eating the treat
putting strict rules in place about how and when you eat chocolate
completely restricting chocolate
constant cravings for chocolate
the desire for the treat overrides your body’s hunger and satiety cues
compulsively eating unusually large amounts of chocolate
hiding how much chocolate you eat from friends and family
feeling like you can’t control how much chocolate you eat
eating the treat until your stomach hurts
binge-eating chocolate

Another sign could be if chocolate is contributing to weight gain or health problems.

It’s normal to occasionally feel one of these ways after eating chocolate. However, if you feel like this more often than not, it could be a sign of a bigger problem.

Can it become a problem?

Not only might a food addiction cause you distress, but it could also lead to greater health problems.

Food addictions appear to be closely related to eating disorders and obesity, and people who already live with these conditions may be at an increased risk for developing a food addiction (34, 35, 36, 37, 38).

And struggling with food addiction might make someone at risk for feeling depressed or anxious (34, 39, 40).

If you think you could have an addiction to chocolate or another food, consult with a healthcare professional you trust, like:

your doctor
a licensed therapist
a psychiatrist
a dietitian

These trained professionals can help you deal with food addictions and other related disorders.

SUMMARY
Signs of an unhealthy relationship with chocolate include feeling upset after eating the treat and being unable to control how much you eat at once. If you repeatedly notice these signs, it may be time to reach out for help.

Chocolate is a sugary confection made from ingredients like cocoa, sugar, milk, and other additives and flavorings.

The treat is adored by many and is even referred to as the “food of the gods.” However, some scientists believe that it could also be one of the more addictive foods.

Healthy ways to enjoy chocolate include having it in moderation and choosing varieties lower in sugar and fat.

If you notice signs in your life of an unhealthy relationship with chocolate, reach out to a qualified healthcare professional who can help you manage it.

Is It Real or a Myth?

Chocolate is a sweet, creamy treat made from fermented, roasted, and ground cacao tree fruit.

This article compares healthy and unhealthy relationships with chocolate and addresses whether chocolate and its ingredients may be addictive.

Though this is still a controversial topic, a growing amount of research supports treating food addictions like other types of substance addictions (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Thus, food addiction may occur when specific foods or nutrients repeatedly trigger your brain’s reward system.

Addictive properties

Some foods are believed to be more addictive than others.

Here’s a look at how much sugar, fat, and carbs an average 1. 5-ounce (45-gram) serving of chocolate contains (13, 14, 15, 16, 17):

	Dark chocolate	Milk chocolate	White chocolate	Chocolate fudge	Chocolate syrup
Sugar	44% of the Daily Value (DV)	46% of the DV	53% of the DV	66% of the DV	54% of the DV
Total fat	19% of the DV	17% of the DV	19% of the DV	6% of the DV	0% of the DV
Total carbs	10% of the DV	10% of the DV	10% of the DV	13% of the DV	11% of the DV

As you can see, one serving of chocolate may contain up to half the DV for sugar and one-fifth of the DV for fat.

Plus, these changes in blood levels affect dopamine in your body. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that plays an important role in your brain’s motivation and reward pathways (5, 6, 18, 19).

Measuring chocolate addiction

One study including more than 500 adults who used this tool found that chocolate was consistently ranked as one of the most problematic foods for addictive-like eating behaviors (22).

Similarly, another study including 100 children with overweight identified chocolate as the single most addictive food when using the scale (23).

Scientists have been investigating chocolate addictions for over 25 years now (24, 25, 26).

SUMMARY
Early food addiction research suggests that sugary foods like chocolate are more addictive than less processed foods. However, some scientists might say it’s too early to classify this treat as addictive.

Different types of chocolate contain different ingredients, though most have a few key ingredients in common. Some of these could be related to chocolate’s potentially addictive properties.

The main ingredients used to make chocolate are (31):

Cocoa mass. Fermented, roasted, de-shelled, and ground cocoa beans create this mass, also called chocolate liquor. It’s solid at room temperature but melts when heated. It’s often further processed but can also be eaten as-is as raw chocolate.
Cocoa butter. This is pure, natural cocoa bean fats that have been separated from the rest of the beans and concentrated.
Sugar. The amount and types used vary, and sometimes other natural or artificial sweeteners are used instead.
Milk. Dehydrated milk powder is often added to milk chocolate varieties, while condensed milk is used in fudge and truffles.
Vanilla. This is used as a flavor enhancer or to cut the bitterness of some roasted cocoa beans.
Other ingredients. Vegetable oils, natural and artificial flavors, emulsifiers like lecithin, and other additives help preserve chocolate and maintain a smooth texture.

So, one way to avoid the most potentially addictive types of chocolate is to eat varieties of chocolate that are less processed and lower in sugar and fat, especially in trans fat.

Many dark chocolate varieties are lower in sugar. Plus, dark varieties tend to have the greatest concentration of antioxidants and other healthy nutrients (33).

SUMMARY
The most addictive types of chocolate may be those highest in sugar and fat. Opting for dark varieties that are lower in sugar and fat may be a more nutritious way to enjoy this treat.

Though you may worry about eating chocolate and other foods that could be addictive, remember they can still be enjoyed from time to time as part of a healthy diet.

Signs of a healthy relationship with chocolate include:

allowing yourself to eat it as desired
not feeling upset, guilty, or shameful after eating it
enjoying it in moderation and overindulging only occasionally
being mindful of how much of it you eat and when
feeling at ease when eating it
feeling good about the balance you have with it

SUMMARY
All foods — including chocolate — can be enjoyed as part of a nutritious diet. Signs of a healthy relationship with this sweet treat include enjoying it in moderation and feeling at ease when you do so.

Developing an unhealthy relationship with chocolate — or any food — is possible.

Some behaviors that could relate to a chocolate addiction are:

labeling chocolate as “bad” or “off-limits”
often feeling stress or anxiety when eating the treat
putting strict rules in place about how and when you eat chocolate
completely restricting chocolate
constant cravings for chocolate
the desire for the treat overrides your body’s hunger and satiety cues
compulsively eating unusually large amounts of chocolate
hiding how much chocolate you eat from friends and family
feeling like you can’t control how much chocolate you eat
eating the treat until your stomach hurts
binge-eating chocolate

Another sign could be if chocolate is contributing to weight gain or health problems.

It’s normal to occasionally feel one of these ways after eating chocolate. However, if you feel like this more often than not, it could be a sign of a bigger problem.

Can it become a problem?

Not only might a food addiction cause you distress, but it could also lead to greater health problems.

And struggling with food addiction might make someone at risk for feeling depressed or anxious (34, 39, 40).

If you think you could have an addiction to chocolate or another food, consult with a healthcare professional you trust, like:

your doctor
a licensed therapist
a psychiatrist
a dietitian

These trained professionals can help you deal with food addictions and other related disorders.

SUMMARY
Signs of an unhealthy relationship with chocolate include feeling upset after eating the treat and being unable to control how much you eat at once. If you repeatedly notice these signs, it may be time to reach out for help.

Chocolate is a sugary confection made from ingredients like cocoa, sugar, milk, and other additives and flavorings.

The treat is adored by many and is even referred to as the “food of the gods.” However, some scientists believe that it could also be one of the more addictive foods.

Healthy ways to enjoy chocolate include having it in moderation and choosing varieties lower in sugar and fat.

If you notice signs in your life of an unhealthy relationship with chocolate, reach out to a qualified healthcare professional who can help you manage it.

causes, symptoms, possible consequences and information on how to get rid of it

Reading time: 5 minutes

Addiction to chocolate appears as a result of stress, depression or mineral deficiency. To get rid of a bad mood, a person consumes a whole tile at a time.

Chocolate stimulates for 3-4 hours, after which the positive effect of the sweet disappears and there is a desire to eat another piece of dessert. Uncontrolled consumption of sweets can lead to obesity, skin problems and metabolic disorders.

What is a strong craving for chocolate?

Chocolate addiction is an uncontrollable physical and psychological addiction. A person can eat dessert several times a day, but this will not bring him saturation. A strong craving for chocolate is called chocoholism.

Important!

Addiction is developed as a result of the high content of cocoa and sugar in the bar. The first consists of active substances that stimulate the production of serotonin. The vigor hormone is a compound of fatty acids that excite the central nervous system and improve the transmission of nerve impulses.

Serotonin derivatives have a hallucinogenic and stimulating effect. Therefore, after eating a tile, a person feels an uplift in mood. With the depletion of energy reserves, the body needs to receive sugar.

A sharp increase in glucose concentration stimulates the brain, increases body tone and normalizes metabolism. As a result, after several doses of chocolate, a person develops an addiction.

Causes of emergence

Addiction to chocolate is formed under the influence of several factors:

Lack of minerals in the body. Chocolate contains large amounts of phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. With a deficiency of these trace elements, a person feels an acute need for sweets.
Psychological problems. Depression, problems in the family, emotional upheavals have a negative impact on a person's condition. He tries to eat his problems with chocolate, which stimulates the production of hormones of joy.
Marketing advertising. A colorful presentation encourages people to buy popular products. Arriving at the store, a person on a subconscious level feels the need to purchase chocolate.
Hormone of joy. Due to the high content of phenylethylamine and caffeine, chocolate stimulates the production of serotonin in the anterior pituitary gland.
The active substance has a tonic effect on the body and gives a feeling of pleasure. Because of this, a person tries to eat more chocolate in order to feel joy and a surge of energy.
Menstruation. During this period, a woman feels an acute lack of magnesium, and tries to make up for it. Chocolate compensates for the lack of minerals, stabilizes hormonal levels and improves mood.

Attention!

Children can also become addicted to chocolate. This situation develops if parents use sweets as a reward for achieving their goals.

Symptoms of chocolate mania

In the presence of chocolate addiction, a person's behavior style changes. As a result, the following symptoms begin to appear:

eating sweets alone to avoid judgment from other people;
ingestion of chocolate in large quantities;
a person cannot control his desire to eat sweets;
if chocolate is not given to him for a long time, he becomes irritable, develops depression and muscle weakness;
without sweets, chronic fatigue occurs, thinking becomes difficult and efficiency decreases;
when a person sees sweets, saliva production increases, pupils dilate;
he feels guilty after eating sweets.

With prolonged use of chocolate in large quantities, obesity develops, acne and metabolism is disturbed.

How does it affect the body?

Abuse of chocolate negatively affects the functioning of internal organs and body systems. As a result, problems with appearance appear, the following diseases occur:

Hormonal imbalance. When eating a large amount of sweets, the production of testosterone or estrogen is disturbed. A high concentration of sugar in the blood leads to a disorder of protein metabolism, resulting in a low level of the SHBG protein.
He is responsible for the production of sex hormones. If the synthesis of testosterone or estrogen is disturbed in the body, temporary infertility occurs.
Violation of the pancreas, the occurrence of diabetes.
When chocolate is abused, there is a sharp increase in plasma glucose concentration. In response, pancreatic cells release insulin into the blood. Daily synthesis of a large amount of the hormone depletes the pancreas.

Important!

In addition, high blood sugar reduces the body's soft tissue tolerance to insulin.
Glycogen synthesis. Excess sugar from chocolate is processed in the liver cells. Glycogen is formed from glucose, which is subsequently deposited in the form of subcutaneous and visceral fat.
Development of thrush. A fungus that causes candidiasis can enter the body. When eating a large amount of chocolate, it receives energy for division and growth. As a result, the colony of pathogenic microorganisms increases in size, causing urogenital candidiasis.
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Excess sugar can be deposited on the walls of blood vessels in the form of cholesterol plaques. As a result, the lumen of the vessel narrows, blood pressure rises, and the rheological properties of the blood deteriorate. Under such conditions, the risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, thrombosis and angina pectoris increases.

Abuse of chocolate negatively affects the condition of the skin. The high sugar content in the body provokes the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines, which disrupts the digestion process, develops allergic dermatitis, and acne occurs.

How to get rid of it?

Chocolate addiction causes health problems and therefore requires immediate treatment. One must remain patient and keep a positive mindset. Eliminating uncontrollable cravings for sweets can take several months, which requires a lot of willpower. Getting rid of addiction takes place according to the following algorithm:

You need to admit to yourself that you have a psychological problem. A person must become aware of an unhealthy attitude towards chocolate, overcome the stage of denial and proceed to treatment.
The diet needs to be adjusted. The body must receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals, so the daily menu should consist of 80% plant food, 20% protein products.
Tip

To prevent deficiency of magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, eat seafood, bananas, nuts, broccoli and sour milk drinks.
It will be necessary to gradually reduce the amount of sweets consumed. Abrupt refusal of chocolate can cause withdrawal syndrome, which manifests itself in the form of depression, exhaustion, chronic fatigue and dyspeptic disorders. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of chocolate to 50 g per day.
The cause of the dependency needs to be removed. A person should avoid stressful situations, move more and not buy a lot of sweets.

Do not abruptly refuse or limit the consumption of chocolate. To stabilize the metabolism and hormonal background, it is necessary to find a suitable alternative to sweets. To replace dessert, the following products are suitable:

Med. Bee product provides the body with vitamins and minerals, has a pleasant taste and smell. You should not abuse the product, because it contains potential allergens. They can cause swelling of the face, hives, rhinitis, and dermatitis. It is enough to use 1 tsp. honey with tea or in between meals.
Dried fruits. Differ in a high content of magnesium and iron, which have a beneficial effect on the state of the circulatory system.
Marmalade. Promotes the removal of slag masses and salts of heavy metals from the gastrointestinal tract.
Homemade marshmallow. Contains a large amount of protein, phosphorus and iron. Reduces the excitability of the food center in the brain and satisfies hunger for a long time. Look.

You can make your own chocolate. There are no harmful impurities in the home-made product that cause addiction. In addition, in such a product, you can control the amount of sugar.

Attention!

Do not abuse chocolate substitutes. They contain a large amount of easily digestible carbohydrates, which can cause obesity and vascular problems.

Addiction to chocolate must be fought in order not to harm health. The abuse of sweets negatively affects the work of the cardiovascular, digestive and endocrine systems. Eating chocolate in large quantities causes allergies, acne, dyspeptic disorders.

Articles written

What is missing in the body if you constantly crave chocolate

Article navigation

What does the body lack in this case?

Chocolate for men and women

Energy source

Cure for depression

Is it true that chocolate is a powerful aphrodisiac?

Features of use

Which chocolate is healthier?

How excess chocolate can harm you

Royal Forest Coconut Chocolate

More than 70% of the world's population considers chocolate to be their favorite treat. And for good reason - the unique taste of this product consists of 600 shades. The vitamins and minerals contained in chocolate have a powerful effect on a person's physical and psychological health. A sudden desire to eat a couple of cubes of your favorite dessert indicates an acute deficiency of bioactive substances.

What does the body lack in this case?

The first reason for strong cravings for chocolate is a lack of magnesium. This trace element is found in large quantities in grated cocoa, which is the basis of all chocolate products. Not getting the right amount of magnesium, a person feels causeless anxiety, constant tension and longing. Sleep worsens, headaches and memory problems occur.

A dark chocolate bar contains half the daily value of magnesium for an adult. Even four squares are enough to relieve stress, feel a surge of efficiency.

Here are three more reasons that cause strong cravings for chocolate:

Fatigue. Cocoa powder contains caffeine, which boosts energy. It is less than in coffee or green tea, but enough to quickly cheer up.
Hunger. Chocolate is a high-calorie product that can quickly give a feeling of fullness. An acute desire to eat a chocolate candy or bar occurs in people who are used to snacking on sweets.
Lowering blood sugar levels. This condition develops as a result of great physical exertion or hunger. Two cubes of dark chocolate are enough to normalize the level of sugar.

There is also a subjective reason for cravings for chocolate treats - exposure to TV commercials, tempting candy shelves in supermarkets. This is a purely psychological addiction that should not be succumbed to.

Chocolate for men and women

More than 50% of women experience a particular craving for chocolate during their “critical days”. It is assumed that the cause is the stress that the female body undergoes during menstruation. Chocolate speeds up the production of dopamine, a substance that reduces feelings of anxiety and depression.

A high need for chocolate also occurs during menopause. Dark varieties containing more than 70% cocoa liquor help to cope with irritability and bad mood.

Expectant mothers often ask for chocolate without understanding the reasons for this need. A healthy dessert contributes to the normal growth and development of the fetus. But during pregnancy, you can eat only dark chocolate, no more than 30 g per day.

Chocolate is no less useful for men - it maintains the health of the cardiovascular system, especially during hard physical work. A strong craving for the product appears during severe fatigue, depression, high mental stress. Nutritionists recommend that men consume 40 g of dark chocolate daily.

Source of energy

Many people feel a constant desire to eat chocolate when they are very tired, have headaches and sleepiness. This is due to the fact that the product contains caffeine, but in a much smaller volume than in coffee.

Let's compare - two hundred grams of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine. Dark Chocolate Bar - 43mg total. Why drink coffee once again, causing nervousness and insomnia, when you can replace it with a piece of chocolate?

Chocolate, as a natural energy booster, is useful for athletes, especially athletes and cyclists. The substance epicatechin, contained in grated cocoa, accelerates the release of nitric oxide, which is necessary to supply oxygen to the muscles.

The invigorating effect of chocolate lasts for two hours. Therefore, doctors recommend eating chocolate 1-2 hours before sports training and at least 3 hours before going to bed.

Cure for depression

Craving for chocolate often occurs in a state of anxiety, melancholy, unaccountable fear. Dessert has the ability to relieve these symptoms. Scientific studies show that people who regularly consume dark chocolate are 70% less likely to suffer from depression. To improve mood, a small amount of the product is required - only 12 g per day. The cocoa content in the product must be at least 45%.

Four components of chocolate provide antidepressant effects:

Flavanols. These nutrients protect the brain and improve mood and mental function.
Caffeine and theobromine. They supply the body with energy, stimulate the brain.
N-acylethanolamines. These fatty acids cause a slight euphoria effect.
Phenylethylamine. It accelerates the production of "hormones of joy" - norepinephrine and dopamine.

Scientists consider chocolate not a real remedy for depression, but rather a source of pleasure, helping to get rid of negative emotions.

Is it true that chocolate is a powerful aphrodisiac?

The desire for chocolate is often dictated by the needs of the reproductive system. The product contains chemicals associated with the awakening of libido - tryptophan, which is responsible for arousal, and phenylethylamine, which creates a feeling of falling in love in the brain.

Scientists claim that the amount of these substances in chocolate is not enough to significantly increase sexual activity. The stimulating properties of the product are more psychological than physical. People enjoy the euphoria that chocolate evokes, and the pleasure of its taste is associated with sensual pleasure.

Features of use

For all its benefits, chocolate is a high-calorie product, saturated with fat and sugar. Its amount in the diet should be strictly dosed - 25-30 g per day for women, no more than 40 g for men.

Nutritionists advise eating chocolate after breakfast or afternoon snack. It is convenient for athletes and travelers to have a chocolate snack 1-2 hours before physical activity.

Which chocolate is healthier?

Milk chocolate manufacturers claim their products are healthier because they are rich in milk protein and calcium. Dark chocolate fans object - the more grated cocoa, the higher the content of iron, magnesium and antioxidants.

The comparative composition of useful substances is presented in the table.

Amount of substance (per 100 g)	Milk chocolate	Dark chocolate
Protein	8. 5	5.5
Fats	30.5	32.4
Sugar	54	47.5
Iron	0.9	2.13
Potassium	438	502
Cholesterol	24	5

The advantage is on the dark chocolate side. An important role is played by its recipe - the first ingredient in the composition should be grated cocoa, the last - sugar. To minimize health risks, buy chocolate based on coconut, cane sugar, or sweeteners.

How excess chocolate can harm

Exceeding the amount of the product can cause serious damage to health. The first threat concerns excess weight, which is easily gained with an excess of chocolate in the diet.

Here are four more harmful consequences of the abuse of chocolate:

Caries. The high sugar content in dessert worsens the condition of the teeth.
Migraine. The tyramine and histamine found in cocoa cause headaches.
Decreased bone density. It has been proven that an excess of chocolate leads to the development of osteoporosis.
Acne. Like all fatty foods, cocoa butter increases the production of sebum and provokes the appearance of acne.

Chocolate made from cheap cocoa powder with the addition of trans fats, artificial flavors and flavor enhancers is especially harmful to health.

Royal Forest Coconut Chocolate

Healthy confectionery products are presented in the new line of the Royal Forest online store. These are different types of chocolate made with coconut milk and sugar. The classic chocolate taste is created by a combination of grated cocoa and cocoa butter. They are made from organic cocoa beans grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and GMOs.

The line includes three types of chocolate: