Japanese Liver Expert Visits Taiwan to Share New Perspectives on Cocoa Polyphenols and Antioxidant Effects Daily 3-5 Pieces of High-Cocoa Dark Chocolate Help Metabolism, Efficiency, and Mood

As health consciousness rises, 'antioxidant diets' and 'cocoa polyphenols' have gained attention in recent years. Japanese liver expert Kurihara Takeshi visited Taiwan this time to exchange the latest research on cocoa polyphenols and health management concepts with family medicine doctor Hong Wei-Jie and three nutritionists, Fang Ci-Sheng, Xia Zi-Wen, and Liu Jia-Yun. From medical, nutritional, and daily dietary perspectives, they shared how to establish long-term sustainable health management habits through balanced diets, regular lifestyles, and better dietary choices.

Japanese liver expert Kurihara Takeshi, with over 40 years of clinical experience, has treated over 30,000 patients with fatty liver. He pointed out that many patients face the challenge of dealing with hunger and oxidative stress. He emphasized that health management is not about completely banning favorite foods but about establishing a lifestyle that can be sustained long-term. Therefore, in clinical practice, he often advises patients not to completely give up snacks but to replace their usual snacks with high-cocoa dark chocolate.

He recommends following the product's suggested intake method, consuming an appropriate amount before meals or between meals. Daily intake of 3 to 5 pieces (each about 5g) of high-cocoa dark chocolate has antioxidant effects, helps metabolism, and reduces oxidative stress. Additionally, high-cocoa dark chocolate is more satisfying and stabilizes blood sugar, making it a new choice for daily snacks that helps establish healthier, long-term sustainable habits.

Dr. Kurihara also shared a clinical case of a male patient in his 70s who had long suffered from fatty liver. After adjusting his diet, improving his lifestyle, and incorporating high-cocoa dark chocolate into his diet, his health condition gradually improved. Another case involved a female patient in her 40s with a busy work schedule. Although she was not overweight, she developed metabolic issues due to eating out and irregular lifestyle habits. By establishing regular dietary and lifestyle habits, her health improved. He emphasized that each patient's situation is different, and health management should be approached from an overall lifestyle perspective rather than relying on a single food.

Family medicine doctor Hong Wei-Jie pointed out that the cocoa polyphenols in high-cocoa dark chocolate have antioxidant effects, and current research suggests they are related to health maintenance. He reminded that when choosing high-cocoa dark chocolate, one should not only look at the cocoa content but also pay attention to whether the product clearly indicates the cocoa polyphenol content.

He suggested three key points for selection: first, use 70% or higher cocoa content as a reference, with options like 86% or 95% depending on personal preference; second, choose products that clearly indicate the cocoa polyphenol content (mg); third, choose individually packaged products, which are convenient to carry and easier to control the intake amount. He also reminded that high-cocoa dark chocolate should be combined with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and good lifestyle habits to maximize its health benefits.

Nutritionist Fang Ci-Sheng believes that true health comes from daily habits that can be sustained. She shared that she has maintained a habit of regular exercise since university, even with a busy work schedule, by maintaining regular routines, balanced diets, and moderate physical activity. When she occasionally craves sweets, she chooses high-cocoa dark chocolate with 72% or higher cocoa content to consume before or between meals to supplement cocoa polyphenols. On hot days when she wants to eat ice cream, high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream is also a sweet alternative.

She also shared three small habits suitable for office workers: not letting oneself get too hungry, eating protein and vegetables first at each meal, and finding a dietary approach that one is willing to maintain long-term. She said, 'True health is not about pursuing perfection but about establishing daily habits that can be sustained and combined with a balanced diet. Choosing high-cocoa dark chocolate with cocoa polyphenols in appropriate amounts supports daily metabolism and health management.'

Nutritionist Xia Zi-Wen pointed out that polyphenols are not far from our daily lives. Vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee, and cocoa all contain different types of polyphenols. High-cocoa dark chocolate contains cocoa polyphenols, which are an important part of an antioxidant diet. She introduced the 'polyphenol antioxidant plate' concept, suggesting that each meal should be paired with different colored vegetables, an appropriate amount of fruit, whole grains, high-quality protein, and polyphenols from different sources to build a balanced and diverse antioxidant diet. She said that in addition to high-cocoa dark chocolate, high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream also contains cocoa polyphenols and can be chosen as a diverse option for supplementing cocoa polyphenols based on personal dietary preferences. High-cocoa dark chocolate contains cocoa polyphenols, which are an important part of an antioxidant diet. It should be consumed in appropriate amounts and combined with a balanced diet and good lifestyle habits to implement the concept of an antioxidant diet. She said, 'Cocoa polyphenols can be easily obtained through high-cocoa dark chocolate, are delicious, and are an important part of an antioxidant diet.'

Nutritionist Liu Jia-Yun pointed out that many people, especially during busy workdays, hot weather, or emotional fluctuations, tend to crave sweets or ice cream. She suggested choosing high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream as a new option for supplementing cocoa polyphenols. One cup of 72% high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream contains approximately the same amount of cocoa polyphenols as three pieces of 72% high-cocoa dark chocolate.

Depending on personal preference, one can choose high-cocoa dark chocolate with different cocoa contents or high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream to supplement cocoa polyphenols in a preferred way. She also reminded that whether it is high-cocoa dark chocolate or high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream, it should be consumed in appropriate amounts as recommended and combined with a balanced diet and regular lifestyle habits.

This exchange was jointly conducted by Japanese liver expert Kurihara Takeshi, family medicine doctor Hong Wei-Jie, and three nutritionists, continuing the discussion from the 2026 Taiwan Family Medicine Medical Association Annual Meeting. From medical, nutritional, and antioxidant dietary perspectives, they shared the new trends and health management views on high-cocoa dark chocolate and cocoa polyphenol research.

Experts unanimously emphasized that health management is based on balanced diets, regular exercise, and good lifestyle habits. Citizens can choose high-cocoa dark chocolate or high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream containing cocoa polyphenols based on their dietary preferences and incorporate them into their daily diets. The exchange also suggested using high-cocoa dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content as a reference, with options like 86% or 95% depending on personal preference, and consuming 3-5 pieces daily as recommended by the product, combined with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle to supplement cocoa polyphenols as part of an antioxidant diet.

Additionally, high-cocoa dark chocolate ice cream was introduced, with one cup containing the same amount of cocoa polyphenols as three pieces of 72% high-cocoa dark chocolate. The aim is to provide more diverse dietary choices for consumers who love the flavor of high-cocoa dark chocolate. Through this cross-disciplinary exchange between Taiwanese and Japanese doctors and nutritionists, it is hoped to continue promoting research on cocoa polyphenols and antioxidant dietary concepts, helping citizens establish correct health management concepts and making balanced diets and healthy lifestyles easier to implement in daily life.