Dark and milk chocolate

Chocolate is an addiction for some people. Eating chocolate can produce a release of endorphins which can make you feel good and happy once you have chocolate, but the more you have the more you will need and want to get that feel good feeling again. Sometimes the more you give in to that response the more chocolate your body craves to feel good.

The reason chocolate is claimed to be so good for you is due to antioxidants, called catechins, present in the cocoa beans. Dark chocolate is then said to be healthier because there is a higher content of cocoa than milk chocolate which has more milk solids and fat; and white chocolate which has no cocoa.

Antioxidants are also found in things like fruit and vegetables, grains, nuts and tea which may be better sources to reach daily targets as these do not have as much added fat and sugar.

All types of chocolate are high in kilojoules, fat, saturated fat and sugar; all of which can be detrimental to health if too much is consumed.

In my opinion, if you are going to eat chocolate, eat the variety you enjoy but only in small amounts rather than eating something high in fat and kilojoules that you might not enjoy as much, just to get the antioxidants and health benefits.