The 5 Best Dark Chocolate of 2024 in Netherlands : A Dietitian’s Picks

Introduction

Hey!! Did your heart just call out for chocolates? Have a look at our list of the Top 5 Best Dark Chocolate in Netherlands before you finally grab your bar of happiness.

More or less everyone is fond of chocolates. And sometimes, chocolates are also our ultimate craving. The melted semi-liquid form kisses your lips with taste and flavor.

How about sprinkling some health benefits over the mouth-watering flavour? That’s how you reach dark chocolates, a perfect blend of taste along with health benefits.

Dark chocolates are amazingly tasty and nutritious. You wouldn’t regret getting them melted in your mouth.

So, before you grab your piece of dark chocolate, let’s check out the list of the Best Dark Chocolates in Netherlands.

Don’t worry! With tons of options falling within your range, we will also help you find the best one and learn about the amazing health benefits of dark chocolate.

Let's take a deep dive into these 5 best Dark Chocolate in Netherlands

Tips for choosing the right Dark Chocolate Bars for you

Several factors have to be taken into consideration while buying the perfect bar of dark chocolate. They are as follows:

Ingredients

Dark chocolates must have the correct proportion of ingredients that will prove to be beneficial for your body.

There are various forms of cocoa such as cocoa nibs, powder, butter, etc. The presence of any of these forms of cocoa is a must in the case of dark chocolates.

The dark chocolate chosen must have higher amounts of cocoa and lower amounts of sugar. Sugar is generally present in low amounts. The wisest thing would be to choose the one which has sugar as its last ingredient.

In case you wish to have flavoured chocolates, make sure you look for organic ones. This will help you get rid of chocolates with artificial flavouring products.

Products with trans fat, milk, and milk fat should also be avoided. Cocoa and sugar percentage should be the key focus.

Products with organic ingredients should be chosen. These points and ingredients should be kept in mind before choosing the right product.

Amount Of Bitterness

There are many types of dark chocolates available on the market. All of them have varying tastes in terms of bitterness.

This is because each of them has different amounts of the key ingredient, cocoa solids. The more cocoa solids present in your chocolate, the bitter it tastes.

Hence, one should choose the chocolate according to their taste preferences.

Price

The price of a product is the most deciding factor. While investing in any product, it’s essential to invest in the appropriate product.

Lavish and beautifully designed packaging always doesn’t ensure quality products with tons of benefits.

Hence, it’s best if one chooses products with proper ingredients besides offering amazing health benefits. You should choose products according to benefits not according to brands.

Benefits of using Dark Chocolate Bars

Dark chocolates are well known for their health benefits. Let’s discuss the benefits of dark chocolates in detail:

1. Dark chocolates help in increasing the metabolism of your body thereby helping in burning and reducing fats.
2. The antioxidants present in dark chocolates help in reducing cholesterol levels and LDL rates.
3. They also contain many nutrients like copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium which are essential for your body.
4. They also contain some amounts of serotonin (happy hormone) which helps in uplifting your mood.

It’s nutritious

A bar of good dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (about 70% or higher) is Soluble fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, and a few other minerals. Dark chocolate is also high in healthy fats, has a moderate quantity of sugar, and has low caffeine content. Eating a good amount of dark chocolate added to your diet will make you more healthy and glowy.

Powerhouse rich antioxidants

Antioxidant-rich foods like Blueberries and Acai berries are popular, yet studies show that cocoa has greater antioxidant activity than both of these fruits. Simply put, a few squares a day can help you avoid the doctor. And the best part is good brands are selling berries dipped in dark chocolate for more delicious plus healthy food.

Reduces blood pressure

Did you know that eating dark chocolate with a high cocoa content lowers blood pressure? Cocoa’s bioactive components can help reduce blood pressure by improving blood flow in the arteries.

Cognitive function

Drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help maintain the brain healthy and decrease memory loss in older adults. It also improves blood flow to areas of the brain that need it. So, the next time you feel like drinking something hot, consider a cup of hot chocolate.

Enhances athletic performance 

The epicatechin in dark chocolate boosts the generation of nitric oxide in the blood, improving circulation and reducing the quantity of oxygen an athlete requires while exercising moderately. This permits the athlete to work out at a higher intensity for longer periods of time.

Protection against the sun

That is something surprising, right? But the best dark chocolate in Netherlands will protect you against the sun. How? Flavanols in cocoa enhance blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage. This can only be excellent news as summer days at the beach or poolside at your Private Properties vacation house approach.

Decreases chances of strokes

Dark chocolate’s antioxidants can decrease blood pressure, reduce the chance of clotting, and improve blood circulation to the heart, reducing the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart disease death. So, many benefits to your heart from dark chocolate.

Takes away stress & enhances mood

People who eat dark chocolate feel less anxious as the stress hormone cortisol gets lowered after eating dark chocolate. This could be related to the heart-health benefits of dark chocolate, as stress is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Side-effects of using Dark Chocolate

While dark chocolate offers several health benefits, it can also have side effects, especially when consumed in excess:

High Caloric Content: Dark chocolate is calorie-dense, meaning it contains a significant amount of calories per serving. Consuming large quantities of dark chocolate regularly can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of obesity, especially when not balanced with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s important to enjoy dark chocolate in moderation and be mindful of portion sizes to avoid exceeding daily calorie requirements.

Caffeine and Theobromine Sensitivity: Dark chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are stimulants that can affect individuals differently. While moderate consumption of caffeine and theobromine is generally safe for most people, some individuals may be sensitive to these compounds and experience side effects such as insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, or heart palpitations. People who are particularly sensitive to caffeine or have underlying health conditions, such as heart problems or anxiety disorders, should limit their intake of dark chocolate and monitor their response to avoid adverse reactions.

Potential Allergic Reactions: Dark chocolate contains ingredients such as cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, and sometimes milk solids or nuts, which can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Common symptoms of chocolate allergies may include skin rashes, itching, hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, digestive discomfort, or respiratory issues such as wheezing or difficulty breathing. People with known allergies to chocolate or its components should carefully read ingredient labels and avoid consuming dark chocolate or products containing chocolate to prevent allergic reactions.

Conclusion

Each one of us, irrespective of our age, loves chocolates. This craving for chocolates is not bad either.

However, chocolates contain sugar in high amounts which is not beneficial for your health. They may be great on your taste buds but not for your body.

But, dark chocolates are tasty and nutritious. Hence, you should always go for dark chocolates to satisfy your craving for chocolate.

With a bar of dark chocolate melting in your lips, you need not bother about the calories it will add to your body. Rather, it’s going to eat away your calories.

We hope that our article on the best dark chocolate in Netherlands gives wings to your taste buds to enjoy the taste of dark chocolates without worrying about calories.

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