Before you come to the conclusion that I have lost my mind, please read on. Yes, chocolate is ok for your teeth and is good for your health. Chocolate contains polyphenols and flavinoids which are strong antioxidants that inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause decay. Here is how it works. Decay is caused by certain bacteria called oral streptococci that are found in you mouth. This results in the production of acids that damages the tooth enamel. Polyphenols prevents the bad bacteria from turning sugar and starches in chocolate into decay producing acids. The sugars are in the form of starch and dietary fibers with a small portion of simple orally active sugar. This is good news.
Actually chocolate candy has several ingredents. Cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar, and various flavorings and preservatives. The polyphenols are actually good for your health. They are anti-oxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflamatory . They reduce the chances of hypertension and stroke. They are also know to protect the heart. Some research have also shown beneficial effect for problems of cognition and diabetes.
The next issue of concern is the cocoa butter and sugars in chocolate. The cocoa butter has a coating effect the reduces the ability of plaque to stick to the teeth. Although the sugar is high, yum, is dissolves quickly and has little time to increase acid levels. Cocao butter and chocolate have been shown to not raise cholesterol. Once again, good news.
Another concern with chocolate is caffeine. There is actually very little caffeine in chocolate. A regular cup of coffee has about 150 mg of caffein. One ounce of chocolate has only 5mg .
Also nice is that dark chocolate has about four times the antioxidents of green tea. The same anti-bacterial effect of flavinoid and polyphenols is shared by the now popular green tea. As an extra benefit seratonin and phenylethamine that are used as mood enhancers are present.
Plant polyphenols are found in many foods. A very tart fruit that makes you pucker as they are high in tannins which contain polyphenols so they too are beneficial. The following are some of the foods with especially high polyphenol content. You have probably seen a similar list as foods that have beneficial health effects. Foods such as red wine , grapes, black tea apple juice, cinamin, cumin, cranberries and of course dark chocolate. These foods are high in a substance called flavanoids, a part of several components of polyphenols that were mentioned earlier.
In amounts of one ounce portion per day, chocolate can be good for you. It tastes good, doesn’t hurt your teeth and has beneficial effects on your body. In an Italian study, all the benefits are achieved in three one ounce pieces a week.
Now the down side. You knew it was coming. Dark chocolate has lots of calories. It has been measured at 150 caleries in one ounce . So if you are on a diet, and who is not, you have to watch the quanity. Try to control yourself.
So, as a dentist I recommend dark chocolate three times a week as perfectly safe for your teeth and good for your body. Yea.
Tip of the Day: Only Listerine has lasting antibacterial properties. Spend you money on it if you use a mouth wash. The others really don’t have much effect.
Best regards, AM
