YOUR LIFE YOUR HEALTH

Can Dark Chocolate Be Healthy For You?

Feb 14, 2019, 5:49 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2023, 1:21 pm

PARK CITY, Utah — Ritual Chocolate in Park City is home to artisan chocolate makers and around Valentine’s Day, they’re extra busy. Co-Founder Robbie Stout said their chocolate-making process is a labor of love.

They handcraft their chocolate from bean to bar using the finest cacao from Madagascar, Mexico, Belize, Ecuador, and Peru.

“Through every step of the process, we are picking up the chocolate and doing something with it by hand,” he said. It takes about two weeks to make one batch of bars from scratch to finish.

Stout said eating dark chocolate is all about the experience. “Let it melt in your mouth and there’s really kind of a roller coaster flavor,” he described. “It can be really bright and fruity or it can be fudgy, or it can be floral,” Stout said each variety has a different taste.

 Ritual Chocolate's cacao beans are sourced from Madagascar, Mexico, Belize, Ecuador, and Peru.

Ritual Chocolate’s cacao beans are sourced from Madagascar, Mexico, Belize, Ecuador, and Peru.

The National Retail Federation estimates Americans are going to spend 1.8 billion dollars on Valentines candy this year. Candy may seem like an unhealthy choice, but experts are saying if consumers spend their money on dark chocolate, it could be a smart decision.

Intermountain Healthcare’s Emily Perkins, a registered dietician at Primary Children’s Hospital, said chocolate 70 percent cacao or higher is actually good. She said anything below that percentage is more of candy and higher in sugar and fat.

“A true dark chocolate has two to three times as many flavonoids and polyphenols, which are the good stuff, than milk chocolate,” she explained.

Perkins said dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which can improve your heart health.

Healthcare experts say dark chocolate can have a lot of health benefits if consumed in moderation.

Experts say dark chocolate can have a lot of health benefits if consumed in moderation.

 

“They have been shown to help lower blood pressure and to help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease,” she said.

Perkins said antioxidants decrease inflammation which can stress out the body’s blood vessels.

Like any sweet, however, Perkins reminds people to eat it in moderation. She encourages people to eat should only have one to two small pieces a week to avoid weight gain, which could counteract the health benefits of dark chocolate.

Chocolate connoisseurs like Stout can’t stay away though. “You could definitely eat dark chocolate guilt-free,” he said. “I eat chocolate every day.”

Although Stout agreed chocolate can be a high-calorie food, he said they are healthy calories he burns through when exercising.

Stout said dark chocolate is high in nitrates, which can improve his athletic performance.

Perkins said the key to not eating too many goodies on Valentine’s Day or any holiday is to plan out your meals. She said that will help limit your sugar intake and make your dessert more enjoyable.

KSL 5 TV Live

Your Life Your Health

Brady Dransfield (right) poses with his father, Scott Dransfield shortly after transplant surgery. ...

Emma Benson

‘Listen to your body’: Transplant survivor shares story for World Kidney Day

A kidney transplant survivor is warning others about kidney disease, including on World Kidney Day.

4 days ago

Mark Seguin in the hospital...

Emma Benson

Colon Cancer Awareness Month: Survivor urges screenings, early detection 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to raise awareness of the number one cancer killer for men under 50, and number two for women under 50.

11 days ago

Comiske riding her stationary bike, something she does every morning....

Emma Benson

Strategies to lengthen your life

The CDC says, on average, women tend to live 5-7 years longer than men because men have a higher rate of cardiovascular disease, but there are simple, healthy ways to increase your life expectancy.

18 days ago

Chris and Aimee Tyler, speaking about their experience with Chris's pancreatic cancer diagnosis....

Emma Benson

‘Cancer can affect anybody’: Utah couple processes pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and often goes undetected until it's advanced. One Utah County man is fighting for more time with his loved ones.

25 days ago

Ruth Norton uses the ArthroFit gym to help senior patients prevent, prepare for and recover from su...

Emma Benson

Intermountain program helps seniors fight joint pain, recover from surgery

Ruth Norton has had her fair share of health challenges, including double-knee surgery, open-heart surgery, and breast cancer. 

1 month ago

...

Emma Benson

‘The place we love isn’t healthy’: Millcreek couple weighs decision of moving due to poor air quality

No one is immune to the dangers of air pollution. What if you had to choose between staying in Utah while risking a premature death, or leaving behind family, your career, and your roots to move somewhere new for the sake of your health? One Millcreek couple is facing that exact scenario. #yourlifeyourhealth

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Can Dark Chocolate Be Healthy For You?