Chocolate and Health Claims

Abstract

Chocolate is classified as bitter chocolate, milk chocolate etc. according to the proportion of dry cocoa and other ingredients in its composition. The health effects of bitter chocolate, which has the highest cocoa ratio, were evaluated in many studies, but the results were very conflicting. Some investigations emphasize the beneficial effect of cocoa could only be possible with raw consumption. Some notes that bitter chocolate may cause an increase in body weight due to the high saturated fat and sugar content. In addition, cocoa and chocolate are being associated with a significantly increased pulse rate because of their theobromine and caffeine content, suggesting the consumption should be restricted in patients with arrhythmia and elderly. However, there are many studies showing the positive effects of chocolate. These studies are stating that the positive effects should not be ignored regardless the unhealthy components in cocoa and chocolate and emphasize the necessity of consumption of the chocolate in reasonable quantities to prevent unwanted adverse effects and get the beneficial ones. In this review, findings of the investigations on the relation of chocolate and health were evaluated.