Are you a chocolate lover? Have you been wondering what the real deal is on this dark and delicious treat? Well, this is the post for you.

Chocolate does not have health benefits
1. FICTION
  1. Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which contain flavanols. Flavanols work as an antioxidant to reduce cell damage, lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Studies show that flavanols can improve heart health and brain function.
Chocolate grows on trees
1. TRUE
  1. Chocolate comes from a tree that grows in hot, tropical climates. It starts as cocoa pods (the fruit), which are larger than the size of your hand. Inside each pod is approximately 30-50 seeds (also called “beans”). Cocoa trees can only grow in a very limited geographic region of the world -- about 20 degrees above and below the equator.
White chocolate is a type of chocolate
1. FICTION
  1. White chocolate contains no cocoa (why it’s white in color) and has the most sugar. Since cocoa is where all the antioxidant power comes in, white chocolate is a big miss.
    1. Dark – Dark chocolate has more flavonoids and antioxidants than other types of chocolate.
    2. Milk – Milk chocolate has a higher fat content than dark and two to four times less flavonoids and antioxidants (and more sugar).
Dark Chocolate is the most nutritious choice
1. TRUE
  1. The darker the chocolate, the greater the benefit = look for:

Are at least 70 percent cocoa (the higher the percentage, the more antioxidant power)
Have cocoa (or some form of cocoa) listed as the first ingredient
Are organic (to be sure they don’t contain pesticides)
Have as few ingredients as possible

There you go! Some of the most common myths about chocolate answered. Now go and get yourself a lovely chocolate treat and enjoy your day! 💚