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Food & diet

Do you know that the dark chocolate Easter egg is better?

March 29, 2018

Easter is synonymous with chocolate. Easter eggs, eggs and bunnies made of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, with hazelnuts or decorated with sugar flowers are a real temptation at Easter and not only for the greedy. Without ever forgetting that chocolate has a high caloric content, among dark, milk and white chocolate, the dark one is undoubtedly better – explains Dr. Sara Testa, dietician of the Unit of Bariatric Surgery at the Humanitas Hospital. Dark chocolate is one of the most important sources of flavonoids, i.e. natural antioxidants also present in tea, red wine and berries. The higher the percentage of cocoa in chocolate, the higher the amount of flavonoids that have been shown to limit the negative effects associated with high blood cholesterol concentrations. In addition, thanks to their anti-inflammatory effect, flavonoids protect the arteries from atherosclerosis and prevent cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. A 100 gram dark chocolate bar, however, contains about 500 Calories representing 16-25% of the daily caloric requirement, while milk chocolate and white chocolate, compared to dark chocolate, in addition to being poorer in flavonoids, have an energy power 10-15% higher and contain small amounts of cholesterol, which is absent in dark chocolate. So yes to chocolate, but in moderation. More freedom for athletes or for those who lead an active life. Migraine sufferers should be careful because chocolate contains substances that can promote this type of headache, such as tyramine and phenylethylamine that promote the production of serotonin, an excitatory neurotransmitter that, if not present, can cause mood disorders, while if present in excess often leads to migraine.

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