Not All Black Chocolate Healthy

Dark chocolate that has a cocoa content of 65 percent more than many so-called super foods to prevent heart defect. But number flavonoids in chocolate are inconsistent and often not mentioned in the label.

Flavonoids are antioxidants in cocoa plants are the key to the prevention of disease because healthy blood vessels. However, the levels of flavonoids in chocolate varies each product. This is because the refining process of each piece affects cocoa antioxidant levels.

Researchers from the University of Leeds in the UK analyzed 12 brands of dark chocolate and found the level of flavonoids in each brand is different, ranging from 90 mg to 900 mg of serving.

According to Catherine Kwik-Uribe, PhD from Mars Botanical, study says cocoa flavonoid intake of 200 mg of heart-healthy every day. But because it turns flavonoid content varies in each product so consumers do not necessarily get the health benefits of each product.

"Consumption of flavonoid chocolate on a regular basis is healthy, but we need to know exactly how many there are in the products we consume. Unfortunately rather difficult to get a definite recommendation," he said.

Another difficulty is the flavonoid content of cocoa is not included in the label.

Even so do not worry, however dark chocolate snacking rated healthier than other snacks containing sugar higher.