Chocolate and CKD | Is Dark Chocolate OK for Kidney Disease?

This video is about chocolate and CKD. Can you really improve your kidney health by eating dark chocolate? According to this study, you can.  February, 2023 from the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. The study is titled “Dark Chocolate, 70% Cocoa Attenuation Inflammatory Marker. TNF Tumor Necrosis Factor”

This an inflammatory marker, an important one in patients on hemodialysis. They theorize that foods high in polyphenols may help people lower this TNF. So they gave people on hemodialysis, 40 grams three times a week. That’s about three to four squares of dark chocolates. That’s 70% cocoa content. It has to be that in order to work.

So they gave them that three days a week. They checked their TNF later and it was better. So something you can do, something you can try. Do not get chocolate that isn’t 70% cocoa and or sweetened with a lot of sugar. Try to get the lower sugar types.

Several studies indicate that eating chocolate has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. In addition, consuming chocolate can mitigate some kidney disease complications, which is great for kidney disease patients. Cocoa products have a greater antioxidant capacity and higher amounts of flavonoids per serving than all teas and red wines, adding substantial health benefits.

These compounds protect against heart disease and atherosclerosis, two major conditions regularly connected with chronic kidney disease. Dark chocolate also provides two major benefits to your cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. More benefits of dark chocolate include anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic properties that may play a role in heart health, weight loss, and cancer prevention.

Remember not to overdo it, and stick to dark chocolate with low sugar content. Also be weary if you are on a low potassium or low phosphorus diet, as then consuming chocolate may cause more harm than good. Ask your doctor if it safe to add some dark chocolate to your best kidney health everyone!