Dark Chocolate…Yes You Can!
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, could that be true for chocolate too?
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth turns sugar into acid, which then eats away at the tooth’s surface and causes cavities. Research supports the fact that chocolate is effective at fighting cavities, plaque, and tooth decay in the mouth.
Cocoa beans contain tannins, polyphenols and flavonoids, each of which is a type of strong antioxidant that benefits your mouth and teeth. Tannins are what give dark chocolate it’s slightly bitter taste and are responsible for the sweet’s dark pigments. More importantly, they help prevent cavities by inhibiting bacteria from sticking to your teeth. Polyphenols limit the effects of bacteria, meaning they work to neutralize the microorganisms that cause bad breath, prevent infections in your gums and battle tooth decay. Flavonoids work to slow tooth decay.
However, before you reach for that daily serving of chocolate, it is important to know that the more natural your selection of chocolate, the better. Of the three kinds of chocolate (dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate), dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) is the leased processed and closest to the cocoa bean, which makes it the healthier option of the three.
Please keep in mind that while chocolate may provide some added benefits for your oral health, it is also a calorie-rich food and must be used in moderation.
It is also important to note that eating chocolate is not a substitute for good oral hygiene or regular dental check-ups.
Leave a reply →
