6 misconceptions about the benefits of chocolate

Contrary to the belief that eating a lot of chocolate will lead to weight gain, acne, and tooth decay, chocolate can actually help people lose weight, improve their skin, and protect their oral health.

Chocolate is made from plant-based ingredients, specifically ground cocoa beans. According to Dr. Tran Thu Nguyet, from the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, consumers often misunderstand the benefits of this food.

Not very nutritious.

This is the first misconception most consumers have. Unlike many industrially produced candies that only contain flavorings and sugar, chocolate contains minerals beneficial to the body such as magnesium, copper, and zinc. In addition, this food also contains flavonoid antioxidants that help fight inflammation and protect cells from damage by free radicals. Therefore, eating chocolate can help prevent certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, and slow down the aging process, helping you stay young longer.

The flavonols in dark chocolate can protect the skin from sun damage, improve blood flow to the skin, and increase skin elasticity.

Causes obesity and weight gain.

In fact, if you want to adjust your BMI (body mass index) to a healthy level, chocolate is a preferred food. According to research from the US National Institutes of Health, eating a moderate amount of chocolate daily for a week can help reduce BMI. Dark chocolate contains more cocoa, meaning it helps reduce fat more effectively, especially in core areas like the abdomen, chest, and thighs. When choosing chocolate, consumers should prioritize products with at least 70% cocoa for better weight loss results.

Chocolate causes acne.

Acne is formed from a large number of bacteria and oil on the skin. Therefore, Dr. Nguyet asserts that chocolate not only does not cause acne, but actually helps those who eat it to have beautiful skin. The reason is that chocolate improves microcirculation under the skin, protecting the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays from sunlight.

Chocolate made from cocoa beans provides valuable nutrients.It prevents aging, combats wrinkles, increases skin elasticity, and effectively restores sun-damaged skin.

Contains saturated fat, which increases bad cholesterol levels.

The saturated fat in chocolate is stearic acid – a special type of fat that doesn't increase bad cholesterol. On the contrary, stearic acid helps increase good cholesterol in the blood, preventing many heart and brain diseases.

People with diabetes should avoid chocolate.

The truth is, chocolate is on the list of foods that people with diabetes should eat. This food can improve insulin sensitivity in patients, helping to prevent the progression of the disease. Chocolate has a very low glycemic index (GI), even much lower than some fruits. Therefore, eating chocolate will not significantly affect the blood sugar levels of people with diabetes.

Chocolate contains a high amount of sugar; however, it belongs to the group of foods with a low glycemic index (GI).

Chocolate causes tooth decay.

Contrary to the above view, this food contains many ingredients that are "friendly" to teeth. In particular, phosphate, calcium, and protein help strengthen tooth enamel. Japanese scientists even suggest that chocolate can help fight bacteria that cause cavities.

According to Zing