Chocoholics have always argued that chocolate is good for the soul and psyche. They might be right.
Prepare to embark on a delightful journey through the tantalising world of chocolate, where every bite is a step closer to bliss. So, buckle up and let’s dive into the deliciousness!
First stop: the ancient Mayans, our chocolate trailblazers. These cocoa connoisseurs were cultivating cocoa beans over 4,000 years ago. Imagine we call chocolate the ‘food of the gods’, but our Mayan friends didn’t just love chocolate; they worshipped it! Picture this: a savoury, bitter liquid concoction, spiked with chilli—quite the departure from our creamy, dreamy chocolate bars today.
Turns out the Mayans were onto something way back in around 900BC. They knew chocolate wasn’t just a guilty pleasure; it was practically a health elixir! Seems that modern research agrees. Dark chocolate, with its rich cocoa content, is bursting with antioxidants. So that the once-considered naughty and indulgent pleasure might not be that naughty after all.
If you love dark chocolate, you probably have heard it already, but good quality dark chocolate is full of antioxidants including polyphenols. Chocolate has twice the number of polyphenols as green tea! This supports our bodies to fight free radicals and oxidative stress. The greater the cocoa content the more benefits.
Now, hold on to your taste buds, if you were thinking it’s a one-sided love affair because here comes the best part: chocolate loves you back! That’s right, indulging in high-quality dark chocolate isn’t just a treat; it’s a heart-healthy hug and a brain-boosting high-five rolled into one scrumptious package. You need to be munching on at least a 70% cocoa-rich version though, the richer the better. One of my favourites is the 80% South American chocolate bar by Venchi but you will find other options out there –Lindt, Green & Blacks, Tesco.
Heart Health
Let’s talk about heart health. Contrary to popular belief, the saturated fat in cocoa-derived goodness isn’t all bad news. In fact, it’s like a superhero for your cholesterol, one-third of the cocoa-derived fat consists of stearic acid, which may swoop in to reduce the LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol by up to 75%; and boost the “good” stuff. Plus, those flavonoids in dark chocolate? They’re like tiny Cupids, helping your blood vessels relax and your blood pressure to be more in balance. Research has demonstrated the blood pressure-lowering effects of consuming about 100g of dark chocolate a day.
Brain Power
Chocolate isn’t just a mood booster; it’s a brain’s best friend. Thanks to its magical mix of dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, chocolate has your back when it comes to stress-busting and joy-sparking. Plus, those flavonoids are like brain food, they tend to accumulate in regions of the brain responsible for learning and memory, enhancing your learning and memory skills. Who knew being a chocoholic could make you a genius! Research found that a daily intake of 500mg of cocoa polyphenols for 30 days resulted in a 10% reduction in anxiety and a 10 % improvement in calmness.
Remarkably, other studies have indicated that those who eat chocolate regularly may have a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Why? It’s thanks to the wonderful polyphenols which also lower inflammation – a contributory factor to these conditions. Improvements in emotional state only occur from sustained moderate levels of cocoa taken consistently. Which doesn’t mean eating a lot of chocolate all at once!
Can help with weight loss
No, seriously it’s true!
Chocolate might even help you shed those pesky pounds. Yep, you heard that right. Thanks to some fancy science involving hormones and gut microbes, chocolate could actually curb your appetite and boost your metabolism. According to neuroscientist Will Clower in his book, “Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight“, suggests that eating a piece of good quality dark chocolate twenty minutes before and five minutes after a meal can reduce appetite by a whopping 50%. This is because chocolate triggers the hormone Leptin – which is the ‘I’m full’ brain signalling hormone.
According to studies chocolate plays a role in digestion. It acts like a prebiotic, a form of fibre which promotes the growth of good micro bacteria in the gut. The more of these beneficial microbes in the gut, the better it can absorb nutrients, which maintains a healthy metabolism.
So, chocolate need not be a reason to gain weight but remember you have to be consuming a small amount of good quality cocoa-rich dark chocolate. Not the stuff that is full of sugar and fat that will leave you craving more!
Blood Sugar and Diabetes
Chocolate doesn’t really conjure up notions of being good for blood sugar or diabetes, but this couldn’t be further from reality. Studies indicate that cocoa-rich dark chocolate can improve how the body processes glucose and insulin resistance causing high blood glucose – which can help prevent diabetes.
We know that flavonoids reduce stress, which scientists think is a key cause of insulin resistance. Improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin reduces resistance, which may then reduce the risk of disease.
Oral Health
Guess what? Chocolate isn’t just good for your heart and brain—it’s a superhero for your teeth, too! Those polyphenols in dark chocolate, are like tiny tooth warriors, fighting off cavity-causing bacteria, which prevents some sugars from turning to teeth-destroying acid.
Furthermore, the amazing antioxidants in dark chocolate may support oral hygiene, by increasing the number of flavanols in saliva which may combat gum disease. This is how cocoa-rich chocolate may support keeping your pearly whites shining bright.
Glowing Skin
Chocolate isn’t just good for your insides; it works wonders on your outside, too! Glowing on the outside starts with what you put in. Dark chocolate contains a ton of powerful nutrients e.g. copper, iron, magnesium and manganese to name a few. The skin loves a shot of these vitamins and minerals to help boost the production of collagen, assist with skin repair and renewal and keep skin fresh, youthful and looking healthy.
Energy Boost
Struggling to get through the day? Wanting to cut down on coffee? Relax and know that having a couple of squares of dark chocolate can be all the rocket fuel that you need. With 43mg of caffeine in every 100g of dark chocolate, it could be a more nutritious way of getting an energy boost. It works by improving the blood flow, which carries oxygen to muscles.
So, while you’re savouring every blissful bite, keep these fun facts in mind: eat with a sense – smell the chocolate, opt for higher cocoa percentages – minimum of 70% cocoa, savour the taste – let it melt in your mouth. Listen out for the perfect snap and look for the beautiful shine of quality chocolate. Don’t forget an ideal daily serving is around 25g of higher-quality chocolate to keep cravings away. In the famous words of The Beatles and as Charles M. Schulz said “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”