Medically Reviewed By:
Last Updated on September 9, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Yes, you can eat chocolate but in moderation. Cocoa-rich food can reduce inflammation induced by arthritis. Some published research papers suggest that cocoa contains phenolic compounds which are known to ‘reduce early morning stiffness, morning pain, and after activity pain’ and decrease inflammation. A research paper also suggests that cocoa also exerts anti-inflammatory activity by moderating the white blood cells – monocytes and neutrophils.
However, we also know that chocolate comes in different variants, like white, milk and dark, distinguished by their cocoa and sugar content. White chocolate has no cocoa but high sugar and milk chocolate has less cocoa but high sugar. It is only dark chocolate that has high cocoa content and no sugar. We need more evidence to understand the mechanism in detail to understand whether dark chocolate reduces arthritis.
On the other hand, if you have arthritis and enjoy mixing chocolate with banana or milk during breakfast, there is no need to stop consuming them for fear that they will worsen arthritis symptoms. You can consider adding bananas and milk to your diet. Bananas are a good source of potassium and vitamin B6, which can help maintain joint health. Milk provides calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for strong bones and may alleviate arthritis symptoms. However, moderation is key, and individuals with arthritis can consume certain foods in limited quantities, as there is no scientific evidence confirming that eliminating specific foods such as potatoes can reduce arthritis symptoms. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to consult a doctor and obtain a personalized diet plan rather than making diet-related decisions independently.
We even found that eating bad-quality chocolate can cause more harm than good. Even bad-quality dark chocolate won’t do good as it can be high in fats that can induce other health conditions.
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