We are in mid-January, still the time for New Year’s resolutions which are often health and fitness oriented. Common resolutions are going to the gym X times per week and/or eating better. My resolution is to drink more water, so I fill up 6 cups of water 24 ounces each in the morning and see how close I can get to finish them all by the end of the day.
Often, by the end of January, New Year’s resolution gym members wane. I was reminded of this while watching a Peloton commercial during NFL games this Sunday. Usually, I DVR (Digital Video Record) sporting events and watch them later without commercials; however, when I saw the new Peloton commercial, I decided to watch it. I got a chuckle as they made fun of themselves by saying most exercise bikes become “coat racks” by February 1st, but NOT Peloton who boasts a 92% persistency rate.
What is your New Year’s resolution? If it is to improve your diet, see below as this column is for you!
For years there were reports that dark chocolate is healthier than milk or white chocolate and some doctors went as far as saying one could eat a small piece of dark chocolate every day and be healthy.
A new report from Consumer Reports blows the “dark chocolate is healthy” theory to smithereens! I am not happy to write about this as I admit to being a “chocoholic!”
According to market research firm Mintel, their survey reveals that about 15% of Americans eat chocolate every day. Consumer Reports tested most of the popular brands of dark chocolate and found dangerous levels of lead and cadmium in most of them!
For many of us, chocolate is more than just a tasty treat. It’s a reward after a tough day, a mood enhancer, an energy booster, and a popular gift, especially with Valentine’s Day right around the corner. Many like myself, switched to dark chocolate for health benefits as it was reported to be high in antioxidants, good for your heart, and lower in sugar than milk and white chocolate.
There is also a “Dark Side” to the healthier chocolate theory. Research has found that most dark chocolate bars contain high levels of cadmium and lead, two metals associated with numerous health problems in children and adults. Apparently, the chocolate industry has been grappling with how to lower these high levels of heavy metals. I’m all for heavy metal on the radio; however, I don’t want any in my chocolate!
Their studies reported that while most of the bars they tested had high levels of cadmium and lead, there were only 5 bars tested that had low levels of each. So at least we know it is still possible to produce fairly healthy dark chocolate low in metals.
According to “Chocolate Store,” Americans consume 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate each year, which averages out to 11 pounds per person. Milk chocolate accounts for about 80% of all the chocolate that Americans consume daily. Consumers spend more than $7 billion per year on chocolate! Only white chocolate contains no caffeine; however, it has the highest levels of sugar and fat!
Chocolate is made from the cacao bean, which has two major components, cocoa solids, and cocoa butter. Together, they are called cacao or cocoa butter. Cacao is packed with flavanols, which are antioxidants linked to reduced inflammation, improved blood vessel functions, and lower cholesterol.
Consumer Reports mentioned only 5 bars out of the 28 tested that passed muster. They tested a variety of types of chocolate, brands, and different company sizes. The only 5 were 1 each from companies called Mast, Taza, Vlarhona, and 2 bars from Ghirardelli (their 72% and 86% cacao bars).
Some bars that tested dangerously high above acceptable levels in heavy metals include but are not limited to:
Scientists are still trying to figure out how heavy metals are creeping into cacao. In general, the darker the chocolate (higher levels of cacao) the higher the level of metals. They suggest eating dark chocolate in moderation and trying those with lower cacao percentages. Stay tuned!