Chocolate healthy or unhealthy

Is chocolate good for you or not? Chocolate has both positive and negative health effects. Dark chocolate, with at least 60% cocoa content, has the most health potential. Possible beneficial effects are improved blood circulation, brain stimulation and antidiarreal. Possible negative effects, if you eat too much, are obesity and heart disease due to the high fat content of chocolate.

Chocolate; the benefits

Let's take a look at chocolate. Chocolate is one of the world's favourite foods, consumed by millions of people every year. Some of us can't imagine being without it, even though it doesn't exactly have a reputation of 'healthy food'. But do we really have to feel guilty about eating chocolate? Maybe not. To start with, if you're going to eat chocolate, try to buy dark or 'bitter' chocolate with at least 60% or more cocoa content. Why? because the benefits are in the cocoa, not in the fat and sugar content! Cocoa contains anti-oxidants, which may improve blood circulation. Other substances in cocoa may have an anti-depressive effect on the brain, and still others may help to prevent diarrea and coughs. But don't get carried away! Any positive effects will be undermined by eating too much chocolate. The damage done by the fat and sugar content, contributing to heart disease and obesity, will more than outweigh the benefits!

Chocolate; the science

If we are to believe the scientific studies of recent years, chocolate does have health benefits. Cocoa contains polyphenols, a type of flavonoid with strong anti-oxidant properties. These substances, also present in tea and wine, help to prevent the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol and so have a protective effect, not only on the arteries and blood vessels, but also on our cells and immune systems. This may even help to protect against cancers and infections. Cocoa also contains epicatechin and gallic acid, which are thought to have cardioprotective properties, and magnesium, which is good for the bones and is an anti-depressive. Also theobromine and phenylethylamine which lower blood pressure. Chocolate, especially bitter chocolate, doesn't only have an effect on our bodies, but also on our minds. It stimulates the levels of serototin in our brains, and that, in combination with other substances present in chocolate, produces a mild feeling of well-being or euphoria. In other words, it makes us feel good.

Of course, chocolate also contains unhealthy saturated fats and sugars which are high in calories and are bad for the arteries.  So, like many things, eating too much will do more damage than good. 

Finally, you should never feed chocolate to your pets. Apart from sugar, which is always bad, chocolate contains theobromine which can be toxic to animals!

Chocolate; the history

Cocoa beans have been cultivated in Mexico, Central- and South America for at least 3000 years. For most of that time, cocoa was enjoyed as a drink, or as an ingredient in cooking. For the Aztecs it was a 'drink of the gods' and only the kings and highest nobles were allowed to enjoy it. Chocolate was unknown in Europe until the 16th century, and was for many years a luxury that only the rich could afford. It became increasingly popular in the 17th century, when sugar was added, making something resembling the 'hot chocolate' we know today. A few of the most famous chocolate lovers were Louis XIV, Napoleon and Goethe. The first solid chocolate bar was made in 1847 by Joseph Fry & Son. In the past, many things have been attributed to chocolate. It was said, among other things, to combat tiredness, to soothe a fever, to aid digestion and even to prevent obesity! It was also claimed to be an aphrodisiac. (Unfortunately this has never been proven).

Chocolate summarized

• Chocolate positives: contains many beneficial substances which are good for the heart, blood vessels and immune systems. Also anti-depressives, which literally give it a feel-good factor..
• Chocolate negatives: contains sugars which rot teeth and saturated fats which cause obesity and blocked arteries.
• All in all it's a question of balance; as the old saying goes "A little of what you fancy does you good!"

Sources: www.todio.nl