Doubts and myths about chocolate

by Rosália Costa June 19, 2021

Can I include chocolate in my daily diet?

If there is any associated pathology, it is recommended to consult a doctor or nutritionist. But if you are a healthy person without any pathology, there is no problem with moderate consumption. In fact, there is no recommended dose. However, it is mentioned to consume between 10 and 25g per day. This amount depends on various factors: physical activity, age, etc. Those with a more sedentary lifestyle should pay more attention to the quantities.

Reference: APN. 5 questions about chocolate. 2015.

Is there an ideal time of day to eat chocolate?

If we are talking about chocolate with a high amount of sugar, which is not the case with Zesty chocolate, we recommend consumption at the end of main meals due to the blood sugar spikes caused by sugar. In the case of Zesty, since it has no added sugar and has a high fiber content (10g of fiber per 100g), it does not cause such spikes. Therefore, it can be consumed at any time of the day. For those who have a sweet tooth, we advise eating it at the end of main meals (especially at the end of lunch) to control the quantity. If you are thinking of consuming Zesty chocolate, there is no ideal time.

Can chocolate be consumed by breastfeeding women? Does it cause colic in the baby?

There are no scientific studies that prove that the consumption of chocolate can cause colic in the baby. It is one of the most ingrained myths, and many expectant mothers think they cannot eat chocolate. Of course, adjustments can be made to the quantities, but there is no need to give up chocolate.

Reference: Jeong, G., Park, S.W., Lee, Y.K., Ko, S.Y., & Shin, S.M. (2017). Maternal food restrictions during breastfeeding. Korean Journal of Pediatrics, 60(3), 70-76.

Does chocolate cause acne?

There is a well-established belief that chocolate causes or worsens acne. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this relationship. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude that the consumption of Zesty chocolate can cause acne.

Reference: Bhate K, Williams HC. Epidemiology of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol. 2013 Mar;168(3):474-85.