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Warwick, R.D., CDE, Nutrition — By Jamie Eske — Updated on April 13, 2022Dark chocolate is rich in minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. The cocoa in dark chocolate also contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which may provide several health benefits. Chocolate comes from cacao, a plant with high levels of minerals and antioxidants. Commercial milk chocolate contains cocoa butter, sugar, milk, and small quantities of cacao. In contrast, dark chocolate has much larger amounts of cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate. In this article, we explore some of the potential health benefits of dark chocolate. We also cover nutritional information, risks and considerations, and how much to eat. Share on PinterestWestend61/Getty Images Nutritional informationAccording to the United States Department of Agriculture, a 101-gram (g) bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa solids provides:604 calories7.87 g of protein43.06 g of fat46.36 g of carbohydrates11.00 g of dietary fiber24.23 g of sugar12.02 milligrams (mg) of iron230.00 mg of magnesium3.34 mg of zinc Dark chocolate health benefits The percentage of cocoa listed on the chocolate refers to the percentage of all ingredients that the cacao plant makes up. That means a dark chocolate product with a higher percentage of cocoa may have a larger amount of the nutrients that deliver its benefits. These beneficial compounds can include:flavanolspolyphenolstheobromine It is important to note that cocoa loses some of its polyphenol compounds as it is processed into cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate through the manufacturing processes. Processing cocoa not only reduces some of its most beneficial compounds but may also add sugar, milk, and cocoa butter, a processed form of the cocoa bean. Cocoa has been associated with health benefits that may include:reducing free radicalsimproving blood flowlowering blood pressurelowering “bad cholesterol”reducing inflammationreducing insulin resistanceimproving the brain’s ability to make new connections between neuronsincreasing microbiome diversity Antioxidants Dark chocolate contains several compounds that possess antioxidant properties, such as flavanols and polyphenols. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress refers to the damage that excessive amounts of free radicals can inflict on cells and tissues in the body. Oxidative stress contributes to the natural aging process. Over time, the effects of oxidative stress may also contribute to the development of a variety of diseases, such as:heart diseasediabetesParkinson’s diseaseAlzheimer’s diseasecancereye disease Heart disease risk Regularly eating dark chocolate may help reduce a person’s likelihood of developing heart disease. Some of the compounds in dark chocolate, specifically flavanols, affect two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. We discuss the potential benefits of dark chocolate for these two risk factors and others below: Blood pressure The flavanols in dark chocolate stimulate nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, or widen, which improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure. A small 2015 study investigated the effects of chocolate consumption in 60 people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. The researchers found that participants who ate 25 g of dark chocolate daily for 8 weeks had significantly lower blood pressure than those who ate the same quantity of white chocolate. The findings of a 2017 review showed that the beneficial effects of dark chocolate on blood pressure might be more significant in older people and those with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, as opposed to younger, healthy individuals. Cholesterol Dark chocolate also contains certain compounds, such as polyphenols and theobromine, that may lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Doctors often refer to LDL cholesterol as “bad cholesterol” and HDL cholesterol as “good cholesterol.” HDL cholesterol helps reduce the total amount of cholesterol in the blood while LDL cholesterol can narrow blood vessels. According to a 2017 randomized, controlled study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, adding almonds, dark chocolate, and cocoa to the typical American diet without exceeding caloric needs may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. In combination, almonds and dark chocolate decreased the more damaging small, dense LDL particles in participants. Anti-inflammatory effects Inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response to germs and other harmful substances. However, chronic inflammation can damage cells and tissues and may increase the risk of some health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and certain types of cancer. Dark chocolate contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body. A 2017 review of literature published in Frontiers in Immunology suggests that eating chocolate may influence the gut microbiome and encourage anti-inflammatory activity. In a small study from 2018, researchers found that eating 30 g of 84% dark chocolate each day for 8 weeks significantly reduced inflammatory biomarkers in people with type 2 diabetes. The authors of the study concluded that there is a need for additional studies to evaluate the optimal amounts of dark chocolate to use to treat those with diabetes. Insulin resistance Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells stop responding to the hormone insulin. Insulin resistance can cause abnormally high levels of blood glucose, which can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. A 6-month study from 2018 examined the relationship between regular dark chocolate consumption and blood glucose levels among Hispanic individuals. The research findings suggest that eating 48 g of 70% dark chocolate each day may help lower fasting glucose levels and reduce insulin resistance. Brain function Eating dark chocolate may improve brain function and help prevent neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The findings of a small 2018 study suggest that the flavanols present in dark chocolate may enhance neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, particularly in response to injury and disease. A study from 2016 identified a positive association between regular chocolate consumption and cognitive performance. However, the researchers collected data from surveys and had to rely on self-reported chocolate intake, so they were unable to draw any definitive conclusions from the findings. Microbiome diversity Eating dark chocolate may benefit the gut microbiome, which can aid digestion. A 2022 South Korean study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that eating dark chocolate was associated with increases in the diversity of the gut microbiome. The results of their research also suggested that eating 85% dark chocolate may have a positive correlation with mood. The researchers attributed this benefit to the increased diversity of the microbiome, which can affect mood through the gut-brain axis. Risks and considerations The health benefits of dark chocolate come primarily from the flavanols present in the cacao solids. However, flavanol content varies among dark chocolate products. Processing methods also differ between manufacturers, and this can affect the flavanol content of the chocolate. There is no legal requirement for chocolate manufacturers to report the flavanol content in their products. However, dark chocolate products with a higher percentage of cacao solids should generally contain more flavanols. Although dark chocolate contains beneficial antioxidants and minerals, it is usually also high in sugar and fat, which makes it a very calorie-dense food. Dark chocolate contains fat in the form of cocoa butter, which mainly consists of unhealthful saturated fats. People should, therefore, try to limit their consumption of dark chocolate to avoid consuming too many calories, fats, and sugars. In general, dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate and white chocolate. Dark chocolate with higher percentages of cacao solids typically contains even less sugar. Sugar content varies among chocolate manufacturers, so it is advisable to check the nutrition label. How much to eat Chocolate manufacturers do not have to report the flavanol content of their products. As a result, it is difficult to know how much dark chocolate a person would need to eat to maximize its health benefits. The studies in this article generally used 20–30 g of dark chocolate per day. Dark chocolate with higher percentages of cacao solids typically contains less sugar but more fat. More cacao also means more flavanols, so it is best to choose dark chocolate that includes at least 70 percent cacao solids or more. Summary Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants and minerals, and it generally contains less sugar than milk chocolate. Some research suggests that dark chocolate may help lower the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, increase the diversity of the gut microbiome, and improve brain function. People interested in adding dark chocolate to their diet should keep in mind that it is high in fat and calories, so moderation is key. Last medically reviewed on April 13, 2022DiabetesHeart DiseaseRheumatoid ArthritisNutrition / Diet 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Antioxidants: In depth. (2013).https://nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants/introduction.htmBerk, L., et al. (2018). Dark chocolate (70% cacao) effects human gene expression: Cacao regulates cellular immune response, neural signaling, and sensory perception [Abstract].https://www.fasebj.org/doi/10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.755.1Berk, L., et al. (2018). Dark chocolate (70% organic cacao) increases acute and chronic EEG power spectral density (μV2) response of gamma frequency (25–40 Hz) for brain health: Enhancement of neuroplasticity, neural synchrony, cognitive processing, learning, memory, recall, and mindfulness meditation [Abstract].https://www.fasebj.org/doi/10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.878.10Chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids. (2018).https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170273/nutrientsCrichton, G. E., et al. (2016). Chocolate intake is associated with better cognitive function: The Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study [Abstract].https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666316300459Jafarirad, S., et al. (2018). Dark chocolate effect on serum adiponectin, biochemical and inflammatory parameters in diabetic patients: A randomized clinical trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6202779/Lee, Y., et al. (2017). Effects of dark chocolate and almonds on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese individuals: A randomized controlled‐feeding trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5778992/Leyva-Soto, A., et al. (2018). Daily consumption of chocolate rich in flavonoids decreases cellular genotoxicity and improves biochemical parameters of lipid and glucose metabolism.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6225491/Magrone, T., et al. (2017). Cocoa and dark chocolate polyphenols: From biology to clinical applications.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5465250/Montagna, M., T., et al. (2019). Chocolate, "food of the gods": History, science, and human health.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6950163/Rostami, A., et al. (2015). High-cocoa polyphenol-rich chocolate improves blood pressure in patients with diabetes and hypertension.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4460349/Shin, J. H., et al. (2022). Consumption of 85% cocoa dark chocolate improves mood in association with gut microbial changes in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286321002746Souza, S. J., et al. (2017). Effect of chocolate and mate tea on lipid profile of individuals with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy: A clinical trial [Abstract].https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0899900717301284FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDE, Nutrition — By Jamie Eske — Updated on April 13, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageIron-rich foods for vegetarians and vegansMedically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D. 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