Also known as black chocolate, dark chocolate is made by adding sugar and fat to cocoa. This type of chocolate contains no milk, or a lot less than in milk chocolate. There is no official definition of dark chocolate in the U.S. It can be eaten as it is, or used when cooking in the form of thicker baking bars which are with high percentages of cocoa ranging from about 70 to 99.

Dark Chocolate Side Effects

Even though dark chocolate has received plenty of positive media coverage for its multiple health benefits, experts urge that before overindulging in this treat, or for doctors to use it in any type of therapy or prescription, more research is needed.

If you only eat occasionally to satisfy a craving or relieve stress, that is ok, but eating too much could have adverse effects on your health. It doesn’t take much dark chocolate to start creating problems for your health. Just a small amount contains enough fat, calories and sugar to make your body react in ways that are not favorable. Below are some side effects:

1. Main Side Effects

2. Other Side Effects

In addition to the main side effects showed above, here are some other side effects of dark chocolate you may also encounter:

• Caffeine and related chemicals are found in cocoa. Caffeine-related side effects could be caused, like increased urination, nervousness, fast heartbeat and sleeplessness.
• Intestinal discomfort, constipation gas, stomach rumbling, nausea and allergic skin reactions can also be caused by caffeine.
• The additional sugar could send you to your dentist with cavities and tooth decay more often.
• Lower bone density could be heightened by chocolate.
• It is a danger to pets as it contains a stimulant known as theobromine which animals cannot digest.

Special Warnings

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, dark chocolate is possibly safe when eaten in moderate amounts or in small amounts which is found in foods commonly.

However, if consumed in larger amounts, dark chocolate could be unsafe because of the caffeine content it has. The caffeine found in dark chocolate crosses the placenta, making concentrations of fetal blood much like the levels of the mother. There is evidence which suggests the high doses of caffeine during pregnancy could be associated with delivery that is premature, miscarriage or low birth weight. It is advised to keep your consumption of caffeine below 200mg each day during pregnancy. Remember that chocolate products give you between 2-35mg of caffeine each serving, and one cup of hot chocolate gives you around 10mg.

When you breastfeed, caffeine is also a concern. The caffeine found in breast milk is thought to total approximately half of the caffeine in the blood of the mother. If she consumes too much chocolate, like 16 oz. each day, the infant could show signs of irritability and have too many bowel movements.

Eat Dark Chocolate in a Healthy Way

Does all of the above mean that you shouldn’t eat dark chocolate anymore? On the contrary, you can still consume dark chocolate as long as you make it into a healthy treat by keeping the following tips in mind:

• Look for good quality. Don’t eat chocolates that have partially hydrogenated oils, as these are trans fats and are not healthy ingredients, which could cause higher bad cholesterol levels.
• Limit dose. Don’t go overboard just because it’s a healthy chocolate. One square a day is generally enough to satisfy your sweet cravings, and studies have proven that the benefits from chocolate are obtained from a small amount each day.