You’ve probably read that Americans increasingly grant themselves occasional indulgences like candy. Though nothing accounts for taste, a new report suggests Americans rationalize such purchases another way: research by Mintel.com notes that one-third of Americans purchase chocolate for an energy boost.
Call it a semi-sweet report – overall, 3% less Americans purchased chocolate of any kind during a recent three-month period, Mintel’s report noted.
Meanwhile, chocolate consumption remains rather robust in Britain; Mintel predicted UK chocolate market sales will soon reach £7 billion.
“The UK is undoubtedly one of the world’s most loyal and consistent consumers of chocolate,” Mintel reported. “The UK is a nation of chocolate lovers, as evidenced by the fact that 95 percent of Brits eat chocolate.”
Four in five Brits eat chocolate once per week or more, though that number has slightly decreased since 2022. One reason that Brits are eating slightly less chocolate these days, Mintel theorized, is that HFSS (High in Fat, Sugar, or Salt) products have faced tighter restrictions on where they can be in stores since October 2022, so candy – including chocolate – is less visible to British consumers than in previous years.
Other noteworthy findings from Mintel include the following:
- The U.S. chocolate confectionery market remains stable as more than four out of five Americans eat the same amount (or more) chocolate than the previous year.
- Three-quarters of Germans eat chocolate at least once a week; more than 10% eat chocolate once a day or more.
- Over 50% of Canadians that say they ate less chocolate and candy in 2022 are making a conscious effort to reduce their sugar intake.
“In countries where chocolate is a daily indulgence for more, as well as in countries where it is enjoyed occasionally, the levels and frequency of chocolate consumption have remained steady in recent years,” noted Richard Caines, senior food & drink analyst at Mintel. “This signals that there is a certain loyalty and consistency in chocolate consumption.”
Eat Dark Chocolate, Stress Out Less
Furthermore, the mental and emotional benefits of chocolate – particularly dark chocolate – have just been codified a little more.
A recent paper published in Scientific Reports found a direct connection between consuming dark chocolate and reductions in the risk of essential hypertension, a term used when the source of hypertension is unknown. Dark chocolate has also been lauded for its flavanol content, which some claim (but cannot be verified) to reduce inflammation and other factors involved in coronary diseases.
The paper concludes that further consumption – and study – of dark chocolate is warranted.
