Chocolate: dark or not? And when to eat it? The expert answers

How much chocolate can you eat? Here are the advice of Dr. Pietro Senette , nutritionist and researcher:

«Eating a small portion of chocolate, about 20/30 grams, more or less daily, is a luxury that can be conceded to almost everyone. Good quality chocolate, made at least half of cocoa mass and with little or no sugar, in fact contains various minerals such as potassium, zinc, selenium and magnesium, as well as vitamin E. Furthermore, it is rich in flavonoids, molecules known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. Cocoa also contains theobromine, a natural alkaloid with vasodilatory effects, capable of containing cardiovascular risk and tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, the so-called happiness hormone».

However, there are cases - adds Senette - in which chocolate is not exactly a panacea: before going to bed and in particular if you suffer from digestive problems such as gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis or irritable bowel just to list a few. A particular recommendation is also obligatory for depressed subjects who, after consumption, experience a satisfaction called the "craving effect", which can also lead to an inordinate desire for chocolate. Given its energetic charge, it is desirable to consume it during the day, in snacks and as part of a healthy diet".