Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Can chocolate be healthy?
The 7th of July marks World Chocolate Day and we are taking the opportunity to talk about one of the nation’s favourite snacks!
Many of us are fond of this creamy confectionary and there has been various health claims made over the years. In this #HealthyTip we look at chocolate and discuss how it can form part of a balanced and heart-healthy diet.
What is chocolate?
Chocolate is made with the cocoa bean which contains substances called polyphenols. These contain antioxidants that help protect against heart disease and lower cholesterol.
Cocoa beans are processed to make cocoa solids that are used in chocolate. Cocoa solids on their own contain no added sugar and contain some fibre making them heart healthy. However, most chocolate consumed contains lots of added sugar and fat which makes it not so heart healthy.
What chocolate is healthiest?
Dark chocolate is the best option as it contains more cocoa solids (which contain the heart-healthy stuff).
The higher the percentage of cocoa solids the better, so try choosing ones with 70% cocoa solids or more. Avoid milk and white chocolate as these are low in cocoa solids and high in fat and sugar.
Enjoy as part of a balanced diet
Chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet and there is no need to feel guilty for eating it.
The key is to swap it for a healthier version (dark chocolate) and consume it in moderation as it is still high in saturated fat and calories which consumed in excess can lead to weight gain and contribute to high cholesterol and heart diseases.
THOUSANDS OF NUT CHOCOLATE BARS SET TO BE SAMPLED ACROSS FIVE CITIES IN JUNE
Do you consider yourself to be a bit ‘nutty’? Are you nuts for nut chocolate? A new survey* by chocolate brand Ritter Sport, has revealed that the people in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, and Manchester are some of the nuttiest, fun and nut chocolate-loving in the UK.
Now they are going to be rewarded with an epic and totally nuts giveaway, unlike anything seen on the streets of these cities before!
This June, thousands of free Ritter Sport nut chocolate bars are being given away in five truly nutty sampling events in each of the cities**. But beware, it’s not just the general public who will be looking to get their paws on the free nut chocolate: a scurry of giant, nut-loving red squirrels has heard just how nut-packed Ritter Sport Nut Chocolate is and will try anything to squirrel the chocolate away for themselves … read on to find out more.
Speaking about the survey results and the upcoming ‘Go Nuts for Nuts’ activity Josephine Skinner, Senior Brand Manager, Ritter Sport, says: “We’re delighted to discover that people living in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, and Manchester are embracing their fun-loving, adventurous sides and what’s more, they love chocolate, including nut chocolate.
“So, what better way to celebrate and thank them than by sampling many thousands of bars of our moreish Ritter Sport nut chocolate in their cities during June! People are in for a real treat and, just like our chocolate, the activity is going to be totally nutty too – you won’t want to miss it!
“The Ritter Sport nut range includes Milk Whole Hazelnuts, Honey Salted Almonds, Dark Whole Hazelnuts, White Whole Hazelnuts and Cashew, packed full of the best nuts and covered in 100% certified sustainably sourced chocolate.”
Going nuts for nuts, funny habits… and chocolate body paint
Over half (56%) of the people surveyed in these cities who described themselves as “slightly nutty” said chocolate is one of their favourite things to eat and, when it comes to nut chocolate, far from being polarising, an impressive 37% stated that they regularly consume chocolate containing nuts!
People from these five cities also value having a good time. According to the study, 58% of respondents in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Manchester “like to have fun” – this rises to 61% in London – while 40% consider themselves “fun-loving, with a crazy and adventurous spirit”.
Almost 3 in 5 (59%) who like to have fun said they regularly consume chocolate, and respondents who like to have fun are also more likely to enjoy trying new flavours of chocolate (53%). A further 33% overall said they would love to “run around a city in a giant chocolate treasure hunt” – wouldn’t that be fun!
Those who took part were also happy to divulge the unusual habits or behaviours that may have contributed to their being perceived as having “a crazy and adventurous spirit” and / or being “slightly nutty”.
Up to 44% admit to “not being able to stop laughing at something funny”, 35% say they have been heard “speaking to pets or imitating animal sounds during conversations”, while 31% have been known to “break into spontaneous dance or sing silly songs to entertain themselves or others”.
Nearly a quarter of all those who took part – 21% – admitted to having used chocolate as “edible body paint for a playful and indulgent experience”, while only slightly fewer people – 19% – said they’d like to “bathe in a bath full of chocolate”. However, people in Manchester (23%), Edinburgh (21%) and London (20%) are more likely than those in the other three cities to fancy a bath full of chocolate.
Overall, the research suggests that the residents of Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Manchester are truly some of the nuttiest in the UK. They are fun-loving, adventurous, and enjoy trying new experiences and flavours, with a love of great-tasting nut chocolate made with high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients.
Dates revealed – but there’s a plot afoot….
The news of the thousands of free bars of nut chocolate being given away has caught the attention of the great British red squirrels, which now plotting to get their paws on the chocolate before the public does.
“Rumour has it that the squirrels are planning to congregate in these cities and track down our nut chocolate bars,” concludes Ms Skinner.
“It remains to be seen whether they will get their paws on them, but one thing is sure: the competition for these nutty treats is set to be fierce.”
Ritter Sport has assured the public that they will take all necessary precautions to protect their chocolate from the squirrels and ensure that everyone gets a chance to sample their delicious nut chocolate bars. So, nutty city residents, get ready for a fun and adventurous June filled with chocolate and a squirrel chase like no other!
Treat your mother figure to an afternoon of whisky and chocolate tasting
On Sunday, March 19, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh’s five-star whisky attraction, will celebrate Mother’s Day by offering guests a chance to treat the mother figures in their lives to a guided tasting of three delicious whiskies, each perfectly paired with a chocolate truffle from The Highland Chocolatier lain Burnett.
Set to take place in the ground floor retail area at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, this 45-minute experience will give lucky mother figures a taste of some of Scotland’s best whiskies, as well as some Johnnie Walker hospitality at Scotland’s visitor attraction of the year, as awarded by Whisky magazine.
The tasting will start with the velvety smooth and aromatic Dalwhinnie 15-year-old, then the delicate fruity Cardhu 15-year-old with bitter chocolate notes that pair perfectly with The Highland Chocolatier. This will be followed by a classic Johnnie Walker old fashioned with a raspberry twist. Guests will also learn about these unique drams, their distinct flavours, their history and the delicious chocolate they are paired with.
As a parting gift, all the lovely mothers on show will be presented with a mini dried bouquet to take home.
Rob Maxwell, head of Johnnie Walker Princes Street said:“Our mother figures play such important roles in our lives, and they always deserve to be celebrated. We are really looking forward to hosting a great tasting experience that’ll live long in the memories of all the whisky-loving mums in attendance.”
A 20% discount will be offered for the bottle of each whisky from the tasting, as well as 10% off other retail purchases of up to £500 and for drinks in the bar on the day of the experience, and for up to 7 days afterwards (T&Cs apply).
To redeem, guests must show their confirmation ticket to a member of staff at the till.
For more information and to book an experience, please visit:
Vets are calling on pet owners to put all their chocolate eggs in a safely secured basket well out of reach of inquisitive pets to avoid chocolate poisoning and an emergency trip to the vets over the Easter weekend.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued the warning along with a handy guide to recognising symptoms of chocolate poisoning, as Google searches in the UK for questions like ‘how much chocolate can a dog eat’, ‘signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs’ and ‘how much chocolate will kill a dog’ all show a steep annual spike at this time of the year.
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can be dangerous for all pets even in the smallest quantity. However, dogs are particularly susceptible to poisoning due to a chemical called theobromine, which is found naturally in cocoa beans.
Theobromine takes a long time to be broken down inside a dog’s digestive system, which means that even a tiny amount of chocolate can result in toxic levels, especially for smaller dogs and puppies. For this reason, white chocolate is usually safe for dogs if ingested accidentally but the effects with milk chocolate can vary, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and keep all types of chocolate away.
Vets often see a spike in chocolate toxicity cases over celebratory periods such as Easter and Christmas. BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession surveys from 2016 to 2018 revealed that six in ten vets (60%) had treated cases of chocolate poisoning over Easter each year.
Raisins and sultanas, found in hot cross buns and simnel cakes, and xylitol (found in sugar-free treats) can also be dangerous for dogs and cats if ingested.
BVA President Justine Shotton said:“We all look forward to indulging in sweet treats over Easter but it’s important to take precautions to keep curious pets out of trouble.
“Human foods such as hot cross buns with sultanas or chocolate bunnies are a strict no-no, with chocolate being particularly toxic for dogs, who have a hard time metabolising some of the components and can get very sick from even a small amount.
“As a vet, I’ve seen many cases of chocolate ingestion over Easter and Christmas, but luckily the vast majority of pets were brought to the practice quickly and we were able to treat the patients successfully.
“Dogs will usually start showing signs of chocolate toxicity within 12 hours, but symptoms can last for up to three days. If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, don’t delay in calling your vet first for advice. Prompt veterinary treatment within the first six hours of eating chocolate can often be critical to a positive outcome. Your vet will want to know how much chocolate your pet has eaten and what type. If possible, keep any labels and wrappers and have the weight of your pet to hand.”
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last for up to three days. Initially, pets are likely to experience excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea and restlessness.
These can develop into symptoms of hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rate, hyperthermia and rapid breathing. Severe cases may result in fits and heartbeat irregularities, and even coma and death. If you notice these symptoms in your dog and suspect chocolate ingestion, seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
For more information on pets and toxic substances, download the free Animal Welfare Foundation ‘Pets and Poisons’ leaflet.
COCO is a chocolate brand and manufacturer founded in 2004. We are based in Edinburgh, Scotland where our small team of visionary chocolatiers have free rein to create unique flavour combinations that deliver extraordinary experiences. From our workshops and boutiques in Edinburgh, to our retail partners across the world, COCO will change the perception of chocolate forever.Continue reading Edinburgh based craft chocolatier launches inspirational new collection
RELICS Events, a new events team based at Edinburgh College, is staging a chocolately charity fundraising event in aid of the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS):
RELICS Events are proud to announce our exciting, fun filled up and coming charity fundraising event ‘Chocoliscious’!
Our chocolate-fuelled day will feature an array of insanely talented chocolatiers, artisans, specialist sweet treat makers and beauty specialists such as iQ Chocolate LTD, One World Shop, HuffnPuff, LUSH Cosmetics, Thinking Chocolate and many more!
Along with each featured specialist, we will be offering you the chance to explore sheer chocolatey goodness in a mind-boggling Wonka inspired setting. ‘Chocoliscious’ will also feature an elaborate designated kid’s fun zone where children will be able to decorate cupcakes as well as partake in many other exciting activities.
Join us on Sunday 20 March 2016 at the Slug and Lettuce, George Street, between 12 noon and 4pm for our chocolate extravaganza. We cannot wait to welcome you!
“Here at RELICS, we believe Chocoliscious will be an unforgettable event for the whole family. We want to host an event that is not only a success, but will profit the incredible charity CHAS in many ways.” – Project Manager, RELICS Events
IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS YOU COULD NOT IMAGINE THE MARVELLOUS CHOCOLATE THAT AWAITS YOU!
TICKET PRICES:
ADULT – £8 ADVANCED TICKET OFFER/ £10 ON DOOR
CHILDREN (16 AND UNDER) – £4 ADVANCED TICKET OFFER/£5 ON DOOR
CHILDREN UNDER 3 GO FREE
FAMILY (2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN) – £22 ADVANCED TICKET OFFER/£25 ON DOOR
ALL PROFITS RAISED FROM TICKET SALES AND EVENT GO TO THE CHILDRENS HOSPICE ASSOCIATION SCOTLAND
