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Is 100% cacao dark chocolate?

When you buy high-quality dark chocolate, its cacao content is listed on the wrapper as a percentage, which typically ranges between 35 and 100 percent. A 100-percent-cacao chocolate bar is simply processed cocoa beans, no added fat or sugar. Fans of dark chocolate rave over its deep, complex flavor.

science.howstuffworks.com - The Darkest Hour - Is chocolate really good for me? | HowStuffWorks

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" " Come over to the dark (chocolate) side. Hemera/ Thinkstock

Here's some bad news for you if you're a chocoholic who isn't a fan of dark chocolate. The highest concentrations of flavonoids are found in chocolate with the highest amounts of cacao -- the solid part of the cocoa bean that gives chocolate its characteristic color and flavor. This means either very dark chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder. When you buy high-quality dark chocolate, its cacao content is listed on the wrapper as a percentage, which typically ranges between 35 and 100 percent. A 100-percent-cacao chocolate bar is simply processed cocoa beans, no added fat or sugar. Fans of dark chocolate rave over its deep, complex flavor. But if milk chocolate, white chocolate or some kind of filled or flavored chocolate is your love, there just aren't enough flavonoids in them to reap the potential health benefits. White chocolate doesn't contain any cocoa solids at all, in fact. Milk and white chocolate are higher in calories and sugar, too. A 1.5-ounce (43-gram) serving of milk chocolate may contain 230 calories and 25 grams of sugar, while the same sized-serving of 60 percent cacao dark chocolate has 180 calories and 15 grams of sugar. Finally, some studies have shown that dairy interferes with the body's absorption of flavanols. If you want the greatest benefit, it may not be enough to just eat very dark chocolate. The amount of flavanols can vary widely depending on the cocoa bean, and the high temperatures that some chocolate manufacturers use during processing may also remove some or all of the flavanols. It's not common practice to list the amount of flavanols on the wrapper, but chocolate companies are increasingly choosing to process chocolate differently so as to preserve the flavanols. Some also sell bars made from raw cacao. We just have a few more caveats before we delve into chocolate's -- dark chocolate's, that is -- potential health benefits. Many of the flavanol studies that you've seen cited in the media were funded by Mars, Incorporated -- the company behind Mars bars, M&Ms, Milky Way and Dove chocolates. Obviously, the company has an interest in being able to promote chocolate as healthy. In addition, Mars supplied scientists with a special blend of flavanol-rich cocoa -- something not found on the consumer market.

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Does 99% dark chocolate have caffeine?

Dark chocolate contains 12 milligrams of caffeine per ounce. Milk chocolate contains 9 milligrams of caffeine per 1.55 ounces. White chocolate contains zero caffeine.

healthline.com - Does Chocolate Have Caffeine: White, Dark, and Milk - Healthline

Share on Pinterest Chocolate is a sweet treat often associated with an energy or mood boost. It’s derived from seeds found in the fruit of cacao trees, which grow near the equator. These seeds are often referred to as cocoa beans. Cocoa beans are removed from their shells, fermented, dried, and liquefied as part of the chocolate-making process. Chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine, as well as other substances that may help elevate mood or energy in some people. Commercially prepared chocolate products also contain added ingredients, such as sugar, vanilla, and lecithin. The darker the chocolate, the higher the caffeine content When cocoa beans are liquefied, the resulting liquid contains cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Both are used to make chocolate, although the amounts differ based upon the type of chocolate. Caffeine is found in cocoa solids, but not in cocoa butter. You can usually determine the amount of caffeine in chocolate by how dark it is. The darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids it contains. This increases the amount of caffeine it has per ounce. Since white chocolate contains only cocoa butter and no cocoa solids, it has zero caffeine. The amount of caffeine in chocolate products can vary, especially if additional caffeine is added in order to provide an energy boost. Added caffeine can be found in energy bars and other products that also contain chocolate. According to the United States Department of Agriculture: Dark chocolate contains 12 milligrams of caffeine per ounce. of caffeine per ounce. Milk chocolate contains 9 milligrams of caffeine per 1.55 ounces.

of caffeine per 1.55 ounces. White chocolate contains zero caffeine.

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