Take healthy chocolate

Chocolate is a sweet, usually brown, food preparation of theobroma cacao seeds. The seeds of the cacao tree have an intense bitter taste and must be fermented to develop the flavour. After fermentation, cocoa mass is being liquefied and the liquor is processed into cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Most of the chocolate consumed today contain cocoa solids, cocoa butter,some other fats and sugar except for white chocolate which contain no cocoa solids.
Cocoa solids are one of the richest sources of flavonol antioxidants and also contain theobromine, phenethylamine and caffeine
Dark chocolate contain cocoa solids and are highly beneficial to man. The benefits include:
1. Nutrition- dark chocolate is very nutritious. A 100g of dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa contain 11g of fiber, 67% of the RDA for iron, 58% for magnesium, 98% for manganese, 89% for copper, plenty potassium, zinc and selenium.
2. Brain function- flavonols in chocolate increase blood flow to the brain, hence, boost cognitive abilities.
3. Reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases- the flavonols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of the arteries to produce nitric oxide (NO), a gas which one of its function is to send signals to the arteries to relax, which lowers resistance to blood flow and therefore reduces blood pressure.
4. Lower cholesterol level in adults- Polyphenols in chocolate help to raise high density lipoprotein (HDL) and protect low density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidation. Lowers susceptibility of LDL to oxidative damage while increasing HDL.
5. Protect skin- the flavonols can also protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin hydration.
6. Reduces risk of diabetes- flavonoids in chocolate have antioxidants and anti clotting effects that can reduce the risk of diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.
7. Positively affects the circulatory system.
8. Chocolate contain flavonoids which can be used to create natural supplements to ease diarrhoea symptoms.
Dark chocolate is healthy but also has some disadvantages. They includes:
1. It cause heartburn because of the theobromine in it, by relaxing the oesophageal sphincter muscle, hence, permitting stomach acidic contents to enter into the oesophagus.
2. Research on elderly people showed it might cause osteoporosis.
3. Chocolate contain moderate to high amounts of oxalate which can cause health problem especially for individuals at risk of kidney stone.
4. Unconstrained consumption of large quantities increases the risk of obesity.
5. Largely to blame for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children because of high doses of caffeine and sugar.
6. It is toxic to animals, especilly dogs and cats, because they are unable to metabolise theobromine in chocolate. Theobromine can also kill human as well if care is not taking.
There is considerable evidence that chocolate can provide powerful health benefits especially protective against cardiovascular diseases but that doesn’t mean you should go out and consume lots of chocolate everyday. It is loaded with calories and easy to overeat on. Maybe have a square per day and really try to savour them.
Be aware that a lot of chocolate on the market is crap. You need to choose quality chocolate, dark chocolate with >70% cocoa content. The darker the chocolate, the less the sugar content.
Take healthy chocolate.