Chocolate

Studies in people

• Open question

  Heart and blood health²

  In people, eating chocolate or cocoa products did not change most health measures, though triglycerides improved.

• Concern

  Food poisoning outbreaks³

  Chocolate has carried salmonella in outbreaks that sickened thousands, mostly children, across many countries.

• Open question

  Type 2 diabetes risk⁴

  People eating dark chocolate often had lower rates of type 2 diabetes, while milk chocolate was linked to weight gain.

• Benefit

  Mood and gut bacteria⁵

  In healthy young adults, eating 85% dark chocolate daily for 3 weeks reduced negative feelings and changed gut bacteria.

Study type not stated

• Benefit

  Muscle recovery after exercise⁶

  Drinking chocolate milk after a workout may help muscles recover, though scientists are still working out the best amount and timing.

• Open question

  Heart health⁷

  Scientists do not yet know whether chocolate truly helps the heart, though cocoa may affect blood pressure and blood flow.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.