Sugar free dark chocolate has become a popular choice for health-conscious consumers. According to Diabetes Health, sugar free dark chocolate is made with a sugar substitute called maltitol that contains fewer calories than regular sugar. The high cocoa content of sugar free dark chocolate also infuses it with a variety of valuable vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin Content
Sugar free dark chocolate contains common vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A is important for helping your body maintain healthy eyesight. Vitamin C helps to enhance your immune system and increases your body's ability to fight off infections.
Mineral Content
Chewing on a piece of sugar free dark chocolate is a tasty way to get a generous dose of several essential minerals. According to the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, sugar free dark chocolate contains hefty amounts of bone-building calcium and magnesium. It also has high levels of potassium and fiber. Potassium helps your body to build and maintain strong muscles. Adding fiber to your diet helps promote digestive health.
Antioxidants
According to the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, sugar free dark chocolate is a solid source of powerful antioxidants called flavanols. Flavanols are also found in other high-antioxidant foods such as fruits, vegetables, red wine, blueberries and green tea. Antioxidants such as flavanols help to block and neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Eating a diet high in antioxidants may help protect you against health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.
Caffeine Content
According to the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, dark chocolate contains higher levels of caffeine than milk chocolate. Since caffeine acts as a stimulant, excessive consumption can lead to insomnia, irritability and restlessness. Sugar free dark chocolate also contains a substance called theobromine that is related to caffeine. However, the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition says that theobromine does not produce the same stimulant effects as caffeine.
Considerations
While sugar free dark chocolate does possess some nutritional benefits, it is still considered to have somewhat of a "dark side." Sugar free dark chocolate may be free of sugar, but it is not free of fat or calories. According to Diabetes Health, sugar free dark chocolate is typically high in saturated fat. However, Diabetes Health reveals that about one-third of sugar free dark chocolate's saturated fat content is a type of fat called stearic acid. Research indicates that unlike other types of saturated fat that can contribute to heart disease, stearic acid does not appear to promote plaque buildup in the arteries.
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