Dark chocolates vs Dates: What's healthier for your sweet tooth?

Everyone wants to stay healthy these days, and everyone wants to find an easy way to do so. It starts with cutting down on some carbs and sugar, trying to make some health-conscious choices. Saying 'no' to carbs can be a little easier, but it's tougher to regulate sugar intake when one has a sweet tooth. So, what can be a healthy option, but sweet enough? It can be dark chocolate, and it can be a date, too. But amongst these two also, what should you choose? Here's what you should consider before indulging in a sweet treat: 

Dates vs Dark chocolates

Let's delve into a detailed discussion below: 

A dark chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa is a perfect choice, considering its low level of sugar content. You must opt for a 70-80% cocoa-rich dark chocolate. It simultaneously supports heart health. While dates have a high glycaemic index, you can call them a 'best served natural candy'. Despite being rich in natural sugars (approx. 68.84g in 100g), they lead to a high glycaemic index, further causing sugar cravings. 

Dark chocolates are rich in antioxidants, especially flavonoids (a plant-based antioxidant). You will find these when the chocolate has around 75% cocoa. As it has a high antioxidant concentration, dark chocolate is beneficial for heart health. It lowers blood pressure, improves vascular function, with insulin sensitivity. Compounds like epicatechin and catechin contribute to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. 

Meanwhile, dates have magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin B6. But, due to their sugar content, dates are not necessarily beneficial for cardiovascular health. 

Dates have a high fibre content. Two medium-sized dates contain about 3.3g of fibre, helping in digestion and promoting satiety. Coming over to dark chocolate, it has polyphenols, which help in the release of satiety hormones, like GLP-1 and PYY. They reduce cravings and also result in appetite control. You can add it to your diet for a regulated sugar intake, that's not an overindulgence. 

As mentioned above, both dates and dark chocolates have minerals. Along with iron, magnesium, and potassium, dates also aid in bowel movement and gut health. Dark chocolate also contains copper, iron, and magnesium, and has a really great nutritional profile because of its antioxidants. 

Seeing all the benefits, dark chocolate has the upper hand. Also, they have considerably less sugar than dates, when essentially consumed unsweetened. Not to forget that they are beneficial for the heart, with other benefits too. But, it's not that dates are any less. A healthy way out is 'moderation'. You can include both as a value addition to your diet. Only avoid any overindulgence of the two foods.