Is chocolate allowed if you suffer from the liver steatosis (fatty liver)? – Farewell Grasso

Sugar is one of the main ingredients to be removed from the diet if we suffer from liver steatosis.

Sugar is found in many products that we constantly consume and chocolate is one of the foods with the most percentage grams of sugar.

Does this mean that we no longer allow us to eat chocolate?

Fortunately, we are allowed to eat chocolate if we suffer from fatty liver. However, the chicolate must be black, with a minimum cocoa content of 85% and the least possible sugar.

This chocolate is also recommended in the fight against liver steatosis.

There are studies conducted on patients with this disease. They found that dark chocolate antioxidants can reduce the oxidative stress of a fatty liver, but also help in the fight against extra kilos – once again something important for healing.

The only problem is that these benefits come only from cocoa with 85% cocoa (or more).

In the trade we find it as dark chocolate, dark chocolate or bitter chocolate. The name clearly tells us what to expect and yes, it is completely different from milk chocolate (and perhaps of all types of flavors) that we usually consume.

Do we eat or eat chocolate with fatty liver?

The vast majority of the types of chocolate in stores should be avoided. Usually, these super-planning foods have enormous quantities of sugar, a little cocoa and perhaps other chemicals (flavors, preservatives) that do not help a liver already suffering.

However, dark chocolate is not prohibited. On the contrary!

We have already talked about studies on this topic. For example, a recent study on Rome (it can be read here) has concluded that cocoa polyphenols (the main ingredient in dark chocolate) can have a positive effect on the liver.

Without going into medical details, they observed a reduction in oxidative stress in liver cells, which led to improving its functioning.

Another study (since 2010) conducted by the European Association for the study of the liver had similar conclusions. They have noticed that a high consumption of dark chocolate can help reduce the high voltage in the abdomen, an effect caused by the fat liver.

In other words, we can say that dark chocolate is not only forbidden to those who have liver problems, but it can even help.

IMPORTANT: All studies have used cocoa chocolate by at least 85%, so we must consume this type, not those with a lower cocoa content.

Isn’t we allowed any kind of milk chocolate?

If we suffer from fatty liver, most types of chocolate in trade are in the list of prohibited foods. This means that we cannot eat milk chocolate, but not chocolate with various flavors, creams or even peanuts/seeds.

These types of chocolate will not only not help the liver to heal, but can do more damage due to the high sugar content.

We also have other studies that show that a “traditional” chocolate is unhealthy, especially for the liver steatosis.

The study conducted in Italy and mentioned above divided the participants into two groups:

• A group consumed 40 grams of dark chocolate per day (85% cocoa)
• A group consumed 40 g of milk chocolate every day (35% cocoa)

After only two weeks, those who consumed the dark chocolate recorded an improvement in liver functions. This did not happen to those who consumed ordinary chocolate.

Unfortunately, the authors of the study did not specify whether their results were worse than the initial ones or did not improve.

However, it is a risk that it is not worth running, in my opinion.

Do we have healthier chocolate alternatives?

If you don’t get used to the strong bitter taste of black chocolate, an alternative would be sugar -free chocolates (which are with sugar substitutes).

Here, however, you will have to read the ingredients of the chocolate, to be sure that the substitute used is really good.

So we can consume sugary chocolate with Stevia, Erithritolo or Maltitolo. Other sweeteners are not recommended for those who suffer from fatty liver.

Even in this situation, there should be no excess. From time to time two or three tablets, to satisfy the luxuries … and nothing more.

I personally consume sweet and safe chocolate which can be found on EMAG. Some varieties are also found in supermarkets (I still buy from Carrefour), but it is much easier to order online with multiple options.

What is the best chocolate for the fatty liver?

As we saw in the results of the studies that I mentioned above, it does not matter which chocolate brand you choose, as long as it has a cocoa content of at least 85%.

These are found in most supermarkets or can be purchased online.

Personally I tried different types and some seemed better than others (although they are all very bitter, compared to what we usually eat).

Chocolate Heidi 85%

Sweet and safe chocolate 87%

I prefer this chocolate because it has no sugar. Used sweeteners make it sweeter than the classic dark chocolate, which is a new bonus for me.

Even if it exists Sweet and safe chocolatePersonally I choose strawberry version and forward The one with orange (At the ingredients, we see that freeze -dried fruits are used, not flavors, which is a bonus!)

Once again, this “bitter” chocolate seems to me sweeter than others that I have tried.

I like it that he has 80 grams, so I easily divide it into two portions. You can find it online (but also in stores).

But these are only my preferences. Any chocolate is allowed with over 85% cocoa (even if it has sugar).

The good part is that the above studies have used 40 g of chocolate in their studies, which means that we can consume this quantity every day.

IMPORTANT: Chocolate, even black, has a high content of calories and fats. Personally, I would not recommend eating 40 grams every day, but if you choose to do it, keep in mind the number of calories you bring.

Conclusion

Although the traditional chocolate that most consume is no longer allowed after diagnosed with liver steatosis, we have options to meet our cocoa craving.

We are talking about dark chocolate here with a minimum cocoa content of 85%. From time to time, as a reward, we can also consume a sugary chocolate with alternatives to sugar, like the one we mentioned above.