What’s savory, delicious, and sweet, and you want to eat a piece in each minute of the day? Well, it is not so hard to guess the answer, as you have probably started thinking about chocolate. And yep, chocolate is the answer to the above question. Chocolate can make people instantly happier, and who doesn’t want to be filled with joy? So, chocolate can be your best ally when feeling sad and lacking energy.
Chocolate is the number one sweet the majority of people worldwide crave. Even if you are not really the biggest chocolate fan, you can indeed understand why some people would die for chocolate. Just think about the last moment when a piece of chocolate melted in your mouth, and you probably remember its savory taste even now.
Some people love chocolate so much that they might also get addicted. However, chocolate has also raised questions regarding its impact on people’s health and whether it brings benefits into human life or not. But is this the truth, or is it just a myth? Let’s see what experts say about this topic.
Exploring important facts about chocolate
Chocolate is a food product made from cocoa ingredients and is one of the favorite candies for consumers worldwide. Chocolate comes from the beans of the cocoa tree, and it goes through several processes, like drying, fermentation, grinding, and roasting, so that we can eat the chocolate in the form we love so much. Cacao was cultivated more than 3,000 years ago by the Mayan people, who cherished and venerated cocoa. Cocoa was so adored that the beans were also used as currency. On top of this, the cocoa tree was sacred to the Mayans, who also believed that chocolate was the food of the gods.
Now, let’s go back to present times. Even though chocolate is not used as a currency anymore, it continues to contribute to people’s happiness worldwide. Now, individuals can choose from more types of chocolate, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and so on. Each type of chocolate is created differently, which is why they also have different nutritional values. Usually, chocolate products with at least 70% cacao are the best options for your health, which are found in dark chocolate mostly.
But what are the differences that set the types of chocolate apart from each other? Well, if a product has a higher percentage of cocoa, this also means that the chocolate product has a larger amount of flavanols. Experts have pointed out that flavanols can fight cell damage, lower blood pressure, or increase blood flow to the brain or heart.
What are the main benefits of eating chocolate?
Promotes heart health
Dark chocolate has many antioxidants, such as catechins, flavonols, and polyphenols. Studies have also shown that cocoa has more antioxidants than other fruits that are believed to have a high amount of antioxidants, such as acai berries and blueberries. Additionally, the antioxidants in dark chocolate can reduce the risk of clotting, lower blood pressure, and improve blood circulation to the heart. In the long run, this can also reduce coronary heart disease, lower the risks of stroke, and diminish the chances of dying from heart disease. Of course, chocolate needs to be of great quality to bring these benefits to the human body, which is why chocolate providers must choose to partner with a reliable cocoa company that offers good natural ingredients.
Enhance brain function
Experts also believe that the flavanols in dark chocolate can positively impact the brain, leading to enhanced visual-spatial awareness, better reaction time, and enhanced memory. Additionally, data states that a chocolate intake for 30 days can enhance cognitive functions because of the methylxanthines found in dark chocolate. Still, more research must be done to be fully aware that chocolate brings this advantage to human life.
Moreover, people who eat chocolate regularly can also reduce their stress levels, which is always good, as we live in a world where we deal with constant stress every day.
Improves athletic performance
Research says chocolate can also help athletes boost their performance worldwide, as dark chocolate can expand oxygen availability. Dark chocolate also contains epicatechin, which can boost the production of nitric oxide in the blood and help athletes maintain a higher workout intensity.
What are the risks of eating chocolate?
Of course, we must always look at both sides of the coin. Even if chocolate can bring good health benefits, it also presents risks, especially if we consume a lot of chocolate daily. For example, one risk of too much chocolate is digestive issues, like constipation, bloating, and stomach cramps. This happens mainly because chocolate contains a high level of sugar, fat, and caffeine, which can negatively affect the digestive system if consumed in a high amount.
Too much chocolate can also cause caffeine overdose, which can induce heart palpitations or anxiety while bringing troubles in the sleep pattern. Overeating chocolate can also lead to sugar overload, causing a spike in blood sugar levels, ultimately making you feel irritable and fatigued. Last but not least, eating too much chocolate can also make you gain weight, especially if you have replaced vegetables and fruits with the consumption of chocolate.
Is chocolate good or bad for your health?
As you can see, eating chocolate can bring numerous advantages into your life, but you need to be moderate with your chocolate consumption. Otherwise, you risk experiencing many dangers. Additionally, it is essential to pay attention to what type of chocolate you eat, as not every kind is associated with good effects on the body. Dark chocolate has the highest percentage of cocoa, so if you want to make sure that chocolate is good for your health, it might be better to eat this kind.
