Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate Is One Healthier than the Other?

Chocolate is a guilty pleasure for many. Because of the wide range of ways we use it – such as hot fudge over sundaes, coating over our favorite fruits, or simply by the bar – chocolate is a go-to favorite. But, did you know that different types of chocolate can be healthier than others?

Ingredient differences between dark chocolate and milk chocolate

The main difference between dark and milk chocolate lies in their ingredients. Both chocolates are made from ingredients derived from cacao plants. Dark chocolate contains much more cacao than milk chocolate. Dark chocolates can contain about 50-90% cacao, while milk chocolates only contain 10-50% cacao. The difference in the percentage of cacao accounts for the taste in both. Dark chocolate is typically more bitter than sweet-tasting milk chocolate.

Another difference between the chocolates is milk content. Milk chocolate must contain at least 12% milk solids in order to be labeled as “milk chocolate.” The milk can be in the form of liquid, fat, or powder. On the other hand, dark chocolate does not contain milk. Instead, cocoa butter is used to make the chocolate smooth. The butter is derived from a cocoa bean.

Sugar is also a key ingredient in both chocolates. Ounce for ounce, there is more sugar in milk chocolate, which gives it a sweeter taste. Dark chocolate contains less sugar in order to keep its deep, bitter taste from the cacao.

Is dark chocolate healthier?

Neither is exactly health food. But, compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate is the healthier alternative. Dark chocolate contains less sugar and no milk while having much more cacao. The high percentage of cacao creates certain benefits from consuming dark chocolate.

Flavanol is found in many plants, including the cacao plant. Dark chocolate contains a greater amount of flavanol because of its higher cacao percentage. According to the Cleveland Clinic, flavanols are related to the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes your blood vessels and improves blood flow. Relaxing your blood vessels also lowers blood pressure. Improving blood flow is key to being healthy overall. It can protect you from heart disease and stroke and improve cognition because of the increased blood flow to the brain.

In addition, dark chocolate may also enhance your mood. Polyphenols are compounds found in plants with flavanol. According to the Cleveland Clinic, polyphenols are antioxidants that lower cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Thus, consuming dark chocolate may lower stress and help you maintain an overall better mood.

And the winner is…

Dark chocolate! Because of its lower sugar and fat content and its higher flavanol content, dark chocolate has benefits over milk chocolate. However, both should be eaten in moderation because both contain more sugar and fat than is ideal in a heart-healthy diet. So, if you like chocolate, enjoy it – but make it an occasional treat, not something you eat every day.

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