The Impact Of Chocolate On Bowel Function.

by Eric Bakker N.D.

Many people have the false belief that any type of chocolate is good for your health. Chocolate is indeed good for you if you eat it in an unprocessed state. Raw cocoa is a very healthy food that is high in flavonoids.

But, if you’re buying the typical chocolate bar available at the grocery store, chances are it is full of sugar, artificial flavor, and unhealthy fats. This type of chocolate isn’t really chocolate as far as I’m concerned. And you shouldn’t be eating it.

There are delicious, high-quality chocolate products available in different tropical areas. But that’s not what you can get at the corner store.

Industrial chocolate can be very constipating food for some people. Particularly in women, chocolate can cause gallbladder and liver problems.

Related articles:

I’ve seen many people addicted to chocolate – eating two to three candy bars per day. If you eat chocolate regularly and you’re constipated, there may well be a link. There was a survey done some years ago in which people had to identify which foods they considered the most constipating. Chocolate came out on top.

Now, if you have a well-functioning bowel, a couple of squares of 70% cocoa chocolate per day isn’t a problem. Just make sure you can stop at

one or two squares. For a lot of people, chocolate is like wine, it’s hard to stop at one.

Even if you’re only eating high-quality chocolate, you can’t get away with eating a large size bar every day. It’s not healthy to eat that much chocolate, and as a constipating food, you may regret it.

If you are a big chocolate fan, consider adding digestive enzymes to your diet. The enzymes will help break down the fat in chocolate more effectively. However, if you’re constipated, I wouldn’t go this route. I’d give up chocolate entirely.

Sources:

About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.