How Much Dark Chocolate Can I Eat Every Day? (2024)

FAQs

How Much Dark Chocolate Can I Eat Every Day? ›

According to health experts, consuming around 30-60 grams of dark chocolate per day is a healthy amount for most people. That's about two to four small squares of your favourite chocolate bar. Now, don't go overboard and think that just because it's "dark chocolate", you can scoff down a whole block guilt-free.

What is the daily recommended amount of dark chocolate? The recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g, experts say. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.

Dark chocolate has a lot of sugar, fat, and calories, so it's best to enjoy it in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends that you consume no more than 25-36 grams of added sugar per day, depending on your gender and size. An ounce or 2 per day is more than enough to get the health benefits.

New research from Consumer Reports shows that dark chocolate contains cadmium and lead, two heavy metals that can lead to health problems. Experts say it's okay to eat dark chocolate this Valentine's Day if it's limited to a one-ounce serving. Choosing a brand with lower lead and cadmium is also recommended.

"Put a small piece in your mouth, chew a couple of times, but mostly let it melt over your tongue," Laiskonis says. Pair it. A dark bar that contains bits of dried fruit, nuts, or sea salt can taste sweeter than a plain dark bar, even if both contain the same cacao percentage.

In the United States, chocolate is measured in ounces, 1/16th of a pound. In other parts of the world, chocolate is measured in grams, and 28 grams is roughly the same amount as an ounce. Both of these numbers are usually included in a product's net weight. The net weight only measures the amount of product itself.

So, if we go by the recommended daily intake of 30-60 grams, that means you can have anywhere from three to six squares of dark chocolate per day. Of course, the exact number of squares will depend on the size of the bar and the weight of each square.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are considered of primary importance in the progression of NAFLD. Consuming dark chocolate can halt oxidative stress and hepatic inflammation seen in NASH, which ultimately leads to Liver failure. Thus, dark chocolate could halt disease progression.

It may trigger migraines in sensitive people. The diabetic patient should avoid dark chocolate as it may raise sugar levels in the blood and interfere with blood sugar control. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid dark chocolate as it contains caffeine and may interfere with growth.

Is dark chocolate ok for kidneys? ›

Dark chocolate has many health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, improving vascular system function, and reducing total cholesterol and LDL. These significant benefits could reduce chronic kidney disease or kidney failure complications. However, milk chocolate bars can also harm those with kidney disease.

Dark chocolate has higher theobromine compared to milk and white chocolate. But accordingly, overindulging in chocolate (and therefore theobromine) may lead to feeling restless, headaches and nausea.

Is it safe to drink water after consuming dark chocolate? It is generally safe to drink water after consuming dark chocolate, but it's important to note that dark chocolate can contain a compound called theobromine, which can be toxic in large amounts.

Avoid consuming dark chocolate too close to bedtime: It's generally a good idea to avoid eating or drinking anything too close to bedtime, as it can lead to disruptions in your sleep cycle. If you do want to snack on some dark chocolate before bed, aim to consume it at least an hour before you plan on going to sleep.

And even though quality dark chocolate is a better choice than milk chocolate, it is still chocolate, meaning it's high in calories and saturated fat. To avoid weight gain, Amidor recommends eating no more than 1 ounce (oz) of dark chocolate per day.

In fact, studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can actually have some health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease. Of course, it's important to keep your intake in check and stick to the recommended daily amount of 30-60 grams.

For example, one ounce is the equivalent of three thin squares of chocolate broken off from a bigger bar. Dark chocolate is also best savored slowly — a little goes a long way.

Eating nearly one-third a cup of almonds a day — either alone or combined with almost one-quarter cup of dark chocolate and 2 1/3 tablespoons of cocoa a day — may reduce a risk factor for coronary heart disease, according to a new study.

Thus, dark chocolate could halt disease progression. A daily dosage of 30 g of dark chocolate for 12 weeks in patients with NAFLD produced a significant decrease in body weight and BMI, significant risk factors for developing NAFLD.