Michael (New Zealand) on 06/21/2021
Folks, I think I need your help on this one please!!
Has anyone done a Doctoral Thesis or PhD (or had personal experience) of the following condition:-
I have heard that dark chocolate (as distinct from milk chocolate with a bit more sugar in it), can cause headaches/migraines - sometimes bad ones. But that is not my present concern. By the way, I prefer the slightly bitter taste of the darker variety (but NOT the really strong, cocoa-content type).
Could the dark chocolate also cause muscle spasms / pain / stiffness as well as joint pain / stiffness / tendonitis etc?
Supposing one were to over-indulge by consuming a whole, thin bar of dark chocolate - what could be the consequences? Also, what are the factors at work - intestines, liver, kidney reactions etc - if known?
It is just that we have recently been hearing of the benefits of dark chocolate for one's health and I am wondering how much is too much and the bad consequences that are possible from over-indulging?
Everybody with a story to tell is encouraged to reply please!
Thanks a lot.
Michael from Down Under
Replied by Joseph from Stockton, Ca on 06/21/2021
Dark chocolate is touted as being healthier than milk chocolate, milk chocolate has more fat, sugar than Dark chocolate with higher % of coco. Better for your heart, etc., just can’t recall all benefits.Replied by KT from Usa on 06/22/2021
Chocolate is high in oxalates and can contribute to kidney stones.KT
Replied by HisJewel from New York on 06/23/2021
Greetings Michael,My experience with over indulgence in chocolate is the side effects from too much caffeine and arginine. The caffeine can keep the knee pain on going the arginine can bring on a shingles rash if you are fighting shingles.
That was my experience. Texting by phone so keeping it short.
Here is a benefit side effects article:
The Health Benefits and Risks of Dark Chocolate
https://chopra.com/articles/the-health-benefits-and-risks-of-dark-chocolate
Replied by Michael from New Zealand on 06/23/2021
Way to go-HisJewel to the rescue!Your information and the article you recommended were just the ticket!!
Soo, if one is not worried about caffeine, migraines, headaches, shingles, kidney stones and a few other things, a maximum of one ounce per day would seem to have beneficial health effects.
BTW I hesitate to query your age but if you are "older" I can recommend getting the shingles shot. Shingles not nice + the risk increases with age. "Talk to the health professional you see most often". Just saying.
I must say that I was impressed with the variety of minerals etc contained in the Dark Chocolate - makes me feel less guilty about indulging! Best to get hold of the one with no sugar (Fair Trade?) but that would not appeal to the majority I guess. Again, I would recommend steering clear of the high cocoa one (+70%).
The inflammation question is not resolved though is it? Helping OR hindering? Maybe that is the sugar component acting as a spanner in the works - again??
Times past I would try the occasional Carob bar as a substitute.
Yes folks, the secret is out at last- chocolate really does grow on trees! I felt a small twinge of guilt to learn that it takes a whole crop of pods from one "chocolate tree" to produce a mere five bars of choc. Did you know that?
Cheers from D.U.
Replied by Michael from New Zealand on 06/23/2021
Thank you very much to the posters who responded to my "Dark Chocolate Syndrome" request - much appreciated. Most helpful in ascertaining any upside / downside factors.Michael
Replied by Sherry from Arizona on 06/25/2021
I have had a shingles shot and still got shingles 3 times. I take L lysine 2 in am 2 in pm. The cause was pure cocoa. I was adding a tablespoon or more to my coffee every morning. No more cocoa in my coffee. I eat dark chocolate every day I have 2 squares a day from a bigger bar. No problem as long as I take L lysine.You have to have more L lysine in your blood than arginine or you will get shingles. Had an outbreak and it went to the other side one spot and I took 6 lysines at once and it dried up in 20 minutes.
Enjoy your dark chocolate.
