Debunking Chocolate Fiction As Told by Asian Elders

Chocolate has a prevailing bad rep, and it’s not hard to see why.

Despite its list of faults like sugars, calories, and “how can something that tastes so good be healthy?”, some of chocolate’s bad rep is not justified.

We take a look at the most common accusations towards chocolate, flung by well-meaning grown-ups.

“Eat so much chocolate, get pimples then you know”

Chocolate, made from cacao is not the culprit of acne. The actual culprits are the dairy and sugar that almost always accompany the yummiest and sweetest of chocolates.

Studies show that dairy and sugar have high glycaemic indexes which raise blood sugar, hormones (like testosterone and androgen), and insulin levels. All of these are known causes of acne.

In fact, dark chocolate with less sugar and dairy or chocolates made with sugar substitutes like stevia and coconut sugar can do just the opposite. Eating chocolate releases endorphins which reduces anxiety. Furthermore, its magnesium content can improve moods and its antioxidant content protects the skin from damage caused by things like pollution and stress.

“Chocolate not good for health”

Chocolate’s nutritional content has been found to help with heart health. One study showed that dark chocolate helps restore artery flexibility, preventing clogging. Cocoa has also been proven to reduce LDL – “bad cholesterol” – levels which decreases the risk cardiovascular disease.

“Stop eating chocolate, later put on weight”

Eating too much of most foods can cause weight gain. Just look for the calorie and nutrition information before going to town on a chocolate bar.

Dark chocolates are generally less calorific and has even shown to be an appetite suppressor due to its ability to trick to brain into thinking that it’s had enough to eat. All hail dark chocolate!

“See, you eat chocolate until teeth got holes”

It isn’t the chocolate that’s giving you cavities, it’s the poor oral hygiene habits. You get cavities when the bacteria in your mouth metabolise sugar and starch from all types of foods, including chocolate.

To prevent cavities, make sure to brush your teeth regularly and use a mouthwash to kill the bacteria in your mouth, and not just your teeth.

“Eat one (chocolate) bar enough”

One bar of chocolate is often too many calories for a snack. Our advice: buy chocolate bars with the smaller squares and break off 1 or 2 (or 5 on exceptionally bad days) to eat per sitting.

Let it melt in your mouth and savour it instead of gobbling down entire bars.