Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

Intentional Formulation: Chocolate First, Protein Second

Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

Intentional Formulation: Chocolate First, Protein Second

by Mo Mandegar, PhD on Aug 03 2026
A good protein chocolate is a balancing act: enough protein to befunctional, enough cacao to taste like real dark chocolate, and justenough sweetness without artificial shortcuts. Here is how Marmelssets each number on purpose, why every bar holds 12 grams of proteinrather than 20-plus, and why it is sweetened with coconut sugarinstead of sugar alcohols.
Does Dark Chocolate Raise Blood Sugar?

Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

Does Dark Chocolate Raise Blood Sugar?

by Mo Mandegar, PhD on Jul 30 2026
Yes, chocolate affects blood sugar, but not all chocolate behaves thesame. A 70% dark bar has a glycemic index near 23 and a glycemic loadof just 3 to 4 per ounce, while milk chocolate and table sugar climbmuch higher. Here is why cacao percentage is the dial that matters,and how fat, fiber, and protein change the whole equation.
What Is the Healthiest Sugar Substitute? A Clear Guide

Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

What Is the Healthiest Sugar Substitute? A Clear Guide

by Mo Mandegar, PhD on Jul 27 2026
The baking aisle is crowded with sugar swaps promising to be thehealthy choice, but only three things really separate them: blood-sugarimpact, calories, and nutrients. Coconut sugar lands around a glycemicindex of 35 versus roughly 65 for table sugar, while monk fruit adds nosugar at all. Here is how the common substitutes actually compare, andhow to pick the right one.
Is Coconut Sugar Better Than Honey? A Sweetener Guide

Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

Is Coconut Sugar Better Than Honey? A Sweetener Guide

by Mo Mandegar, PhD on Jun 23 2026
Coconut sugar and honey both feel healthier than the white packet,but they win on different measures. Coconut sugar has a lowerglycemic index (GI), reported between 35 and 54 versus about 58 forhoney, plus far less fructose; honey brings more antioxidants. Bothare still added sugars at roughly 4 calories per gram. Here is howthey actually compare, and how to choose.
Are Artificial Sweeteners Actually Worse Than Sugar?

Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

Are Artificial Sweeteners Actually Worse Than Sugar?

by Mo Mandegar, PhD on May 26 2026
Diet drinks were supposed to settle the sugar question. The 2023World Health Organization (WHO) guideline reviewed more than 280studies and concluded non-sugar sweeteners do not reduce body fatlong term — and may carry their own cardiovascular and metabolicsignals. Here is what the evidence actually says, and what to dowith it.
Glycemic Load vs Glycemic Index: What Actually Matters

Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

Glycemic Load vs Glycemic Index: What Actually Matters

by Mo Mandegar, PhD on May 19 2026
Glycemic index measures speed. Glycemic load measures speed plusserving size — and that one addition flips watermelon fromhigh-impact to mild and white rice from quick to genuinely heavy.Here is how to read both numbers, why the gap matters, and wherecommon foods actually land on each scale.
Bar chart comparing the glycemic index of common sweeteners — glucose, refined cane sugar, honey, coconut sugar, agave nectar, and stevia leaf extract — with a high-glycemic-index threshold line at 55

Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels

Coconut Sugar vs Cane Sugar: Glycemic Index Compared

by Mo Mandegar, PhD on May 12 2026
Coconut sugar's glycemic index has been reported anywhere from 35to 54, compared with around 65 for refined cane sugar. The lab gapis real, but a 2022 trial in adults with type 2 diabetes foundnearly identical blood-sugar responses to the two sweeteners. Hereis how to read the data without the marketing.