Easter is a chocolate lovers paradise, and a real treat for the children, many of us eat it all year round and dark chocolate does have some health benefits, due to the antioxidants it contains. Indulging yourself with chocolate is fine, as long as you do so only occasionally. Consuming large quantities of chocolate all year round however can do more harm than good.
Chocolate is high in calories, and excess calorific intake obviously leads to weight gain, eating only one or two small pieces of the chocolate egg, rather than the entire thing is the way forward. Many of the calories in chocolate come from the sugar without which a lot of chocolate would taste too bitter for most people. Large amounts of sugar in your diet can lead to dental problems like gum disease and cavities and can even lead to an increased risk of diabetes.
Chocolate contains caffeine and is also very acidic. Caffeine is a bowel stimulant, which can worsen symptoms of irritable bowel disease or cause diarrhoea. Acidic foods can cause an increase in stomach acid, which can result in heartburn, acid reflux or the inflammation of other stomach conditions. Chocolate is also particularly high in potassium, for most people this is not a problem. But those with adrenal disease or kidney disease need to watch their intake of high-potassium foods to avoid elevated levels in their blood. Enjoy your Eater chocolate leftovers but remember everything, especially chocolate in moderation.
Source: Live Strong
Chocolate is high in calories, and excess calorific intake obviously leads to weight gain, eating only one or two small pieces of the chocolate egg, rather than the entire thing is the way forward. Many of the calories in chocolate come from the sugar without which a lot of chocolate would taste too bitter for most people. Large amounts of sugar in your diet can lead to dental problems like gum disease and cavities and can even lead to an increased risk of diabetes.
Chocolate contains caffeine and is also very acidic. Caffeine is a bowel stimulant, which can worsen symptoms of irritable bowel disease or cause diarrhoea. Acidic foods can cause an increase in stomach acid, which can result in heartburn, acid reflux or the inflammation of other stomach conditions. Chocolate is also particularly high in potassium, for most people this is not a problem. But those with adrenal disease or kidney disease need to watch their intake of high-potassium foods to avoid elevated levels in their blood. Enjoy your Eater chocolate leftovers but remember everything, especially chocolate in moderation.
Source: Live Strong