Milk Chocolate Vs. Dark Chocolate

National Milk Chocolate Day is celebrated annually on July 28. When solid chocolate is combined with either powdered, liquid or condensed milk; it’s known as milk chocolate.

Chocolate has proven health benefits, including high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can harm your cells. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body, and are linked to chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Private Home Care *loves* foods packed with antioxidants, especially chocolate!

Milk chocolate is a best-seller and is delicious. However, when compared to the health benefits of dark chocolate, it melts in comparison. This is because the more chocolate is processed, the more it loses the qualities that make it healthy. Many health benefits of chocolate come from flavanols (phytonutrients found in cocoa), which have antioxidant effects, have a very bitter taste.

But as the cocoa beans are fermented, alkalized, and roasted to help neutralize that taste, those flavanols start to disappear. Since dark chocolate contains a minimum of 35 percent cocoa, it keeps more of its health benefits than milk chocolate, which only contains under 10 percent cocoa. Milk chocolate is also loaded with cream and sugar, as well as preservatives.

Quality dark chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese and a few other minerals, and does not have the same amount of additives. Although milk chocolate may be delicious, dark chocolate by far is healthier. Milk chocolate should be enjoyed as a once in a while treat.