Dark Chocolate Calories

Anything in excess is bad for our health. Nowadays, almost everyone is conscious about what they eat, where they eat, and the amount of calories the food is made up of. Chocolate is a favorite among many people because of its rich taste and flavor. It comes in a number of varieties like milk chocolate, white chocolate, and dark chocolate. Although dark chocolate is more bitter than milk chocolate, it certainly is enjoyed by people all over the world. For people who enjoy eating dark chocolate, and for those who are more concerned about calories in dark chocolate, here are some facts you would like to know.

Dark chocolate, often known as bitter chocolate, contains higher amount of cocoa extract as compared to milk chocolate. This particular type of chocolate is mostly used in cooking because it consists of cocoa liquor, sugar, and cocoa butter. This helps in hiding the bitter taste of cocoa. Here are some health benefits of dark chocolate.

• It assists in decreasing blood pressure.
• It produces antioxidants, that prevent premature aging, and keeps age-related illnesses at bay.
• Dark chocolate induces the production of endorphin, which gives a sense of pleasure and happiness.
• It contains serotonin, which has antidepressant properties.
• Dark chocolate has the ability to fight against negative molecules in the body like free radicals, which can cause cancer, stroke, and heart diseases.
• It aids in the process of digestion and energizes the kidneys
• Patients suffering from anemia, kidney stones, and poor appetite have been benefited from eating dark chocolate.

Though there are numerous health benefits of dark chocolate, but it doesn't mean that you should eat loads of dark chocolate everyday. There are calories in dark chocolate which can be harmful in the long run. Even though dark chocolate has many benefits, it should be consumed in minimal amounts because it's a high-calorie, high-fat food.

Total Calorie Count

Here are some facts about calories in dark chocolate that you should know before consuming it.

Portions	Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Calories
1 large bar (2.6 oz)	23.65	43.37	388
1 medium bar (1.45 oz)	13.28	24.36	218
1 small bar (1 oz)	9.19	16.84	151

Certain Unknown Facts

1. Make sure you distribute the total calorie intake. Let's look at the table where 1 large bar of dark chocolate has around 400 calories. If you wish to eat the bar of chocolate, then to reduce your overall calorie intake, you should minimize intake of foods containing fats and sugars, during the day. This will balance your calories.
2. Dark chocolate is better than milk or white chocolate, as it contains more than 60 percent cocoa. It also has more antioxidants than its siblings; milk chocolate and white chocolate.
3. If you are a fan of dark chocolate, avoid eating it with unnecessary fillers like peanut butter, caramel, or nougats. These fillers add extra sugar and fat components to dark chocolate. Choose pure dark chocolate or if you wish to modify your taste, take it with nuts or other flavors like orange peel.
4. Refrain from drinking milk while you are enjoying dark chocolate treats. Milk has the tendency to prevent the antioxidants produced by the body.

Dark chocolate is not only tasty but also helps in regulating blood sugar levels. The purest or crudest form of cocoa found in dark chocolate has more benefits than milk chocolate or white chocolate. The benefits of dark chocolate solely depends on the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate. Therefore it's always better to choose dark chocolates containing over 60% cocoa. This eliminates the chances of your chocolate bar containing any harmful additives that can take away the nutritious benefits. So instead of worrying about dark chocolate calories, why not focus on its most interesting, yet unknown role; dark chocolate is an aphrodisiac!