The Health Benefits of Chocolate Chocolate is a favorite treat that has a long history and sometimes is a guilty pleasure. There is, however, ongoing research that aims at establishing the possible health benefits that can be associated with chocolate. Although there is no familiar advice from a doctor that says “Eat two chocolates and call me in the morning,” studies have shown health benefits that can be attributed to the antioxidants in chocolate. The main antioxidants in chocolate are the compounds called polyphenol flavonoids.
Polyphenols fall in the family of chemical compounds that are derived from plants and have a carbon ring structure. They fall within this class and can be found in high concentrations in cocoa and other dark colored fruits and vegetables. “Polyphenols are distributed widely among our diets and some of the richest sources of the antioxidants are astringent and bitter foods like cocoa,” which is used in the manufacture of chocolate, blueberries and grape juice (Benson 46). The focus of this paper will be the health benefits that are related to chocolate and its main antioxidant component, polyphenol.
The most evident benefit that can be associated with polyphenol flavonoids is their heart benefits. Human and animal studies that have been done regarding the benefits of chocolate conclude that compounds ingested into the body are absorbed into the tissues and the blood stream and enhance the flow of blood. This benefit counteracts
Chocolate was previously considered a “delectable symbol of luxury, wealth, and power” (Klein) in the 1500s. Using modern technology, it is now easily produced. While
We all encounter chocolate in our daily life, and whether we want to admit it or not, chocolate has been a major part of history, and it is still seen today.
Another reason is that the health benefits of chocolate are that it can reduce the risks of stroke and reduces the risk of heart attacks. -Katherine Zeratsky
Research has proved that humans have been consuming cocoa for over 2600 years from once upon a time being used as currency to becoming serious pirate loot to being the key ingredient along with sugar in producing chocolate today.
Chocolate is made from the seeds of the tropical tree, Theobroma cacao. Theobroma is the Greek term for 'food of the gods.' In Aztec society chocolate was a food of the gods, reserved for priests, warriors and nobility. The Aztecs used cacao beans to make a hot, frothy and bitter beverage called chocolatl. Chocolatl was a sacred concoction that was associated with fertility and wisdom. It was also thought to have stimulating and restorative properties. The bitter drink was first introduced to Europe in 1528. However, it was not until 1876 that milk, cocoa powder and cocoa butter were combined to form what we now know as chocolate (1).
For centuries, chocolate has been one of the favorite sweet- tasting treats in the world. Today, chocolate has become so common in our culture that it is nearly impossible to go through your day without encountering chocolate in your house, office, cafeterias, stores, and schools. Chocolate has many purposes including: improving mood, lowering blood pressure, improving a person’s ability to clot, and it helps the body repair from free radicals. Alberto Villodo summed it up best when he said, “We are spirits in a body. The reason we came here to this World and to this Earth from the Spirit World is so we could experience chocolate, among other things – good coffee, the senses.” (“Heart Health Benefits of Chocolate”)
Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate will hydrate your skin, lowers blood pressure and boost your memory. It will also strengthen your bones, this is due to the bone strengthening compounds it contain, which includes manganese, magnesium, copper, zinc and
Though a shelf life of a chocolate truffle actually depends on its ingredients, BonBonHolic’s product is made up of a ganache but boiled to remove the water for a longer shelf life. And for sure, people could not resist the chocolate indulgence which may make them eat it all.
“The Dark Side of Chocolate” is a documentary that explores the underlying issues prevalent in the cocoa trade. For most first world countries chocolate is seen as an accessible treat, however in third world countries, the production of cocoa creates social issues that must be eliminated. Cocoa trade is one of the largest industries in West African countries, but the issues that arise from such trade do more harm than good. The cocoa plantations are trafficking humans to work on their plantations. Furthermore, most instances suggest that these workers do not receive any compensation for their work and most importantly some of these slave laborers are children. Thus, the three issues that the cocoa companies routinely commit in exchange for lower costs are human trafficking, slave labor, and child labor. These companies are aware of such issues but refuse to actively combat them because they are better off financially. It can be argued that these issues can be mitigated through various social, governmental and political policies aimed at combating these problems. The three main issues will be addressed and the various stakeholders affected by these issues will be analyzed. Then this paper will look at the possible solutions to these issues, whereby through government, social or political means.
Chocolate became “a respected scholarly subject” only in recent decades suffering from “puritanical prohibitions” of discussing food or writing about it that were recognized standards of behavior in the Western world. The reviewed book The True History of Chocolate is a valuable addition to what the public knows or, rather, does not know about chocolate, with an interesting historical background that makes an entertaining and useful reading and extends one’s knowledge of things we use daily, sometimes without realizing their long history of evolution and multiple meanings.
Did you know that getting a daily dose of dark chocolate may be beneficial to your health? Not only is chocolate the perfect gift for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, it also may benefit your heart. The ingredients in chocolate are not only delicious, but dark chocolate and cocoa powders also contain disease-fighting antioxidants. The key to gaining the most benefits from dark chocolate is to enjoy it in moderation.
Fiona Balloch requested the report to be generated to provide information on the structure of Joy of Chocolate and CG Chocolates. The purpose of the
Hypertension or chronic pressure plays devastation all in all body and can prompt cardiovascular ailment, stroke, and dementia. The magnesium and the flavanols in dark chocolate are the ones to enhance vascular capacity and enable lower blood pressure.
Everyone seems to love chocolate, and it is one of the most purchased treats on Valentine’s Day for friends, family, husbands and wives. When people are stressed, or feel like they need a comfort food, chocolate is one of the first things that comes to mind, and is reached to soothe a troubled emotional heart. In the past, chocolate has been considered to be a ‘sweet junk food’ that is high in sugar and calories with no nutritional value. But due to recent nutritional and scientific research people should be eating a bit of dark chocolate for the antioxidants and heart healthy benefits. Chocolate has recently been researched in the science world for its high levels of antioxidants,
New evidence is in that eating dark chocolate every day can reduce stress. The study, found that people who rated themselves highly stressed to begin with had lower levels of stress hormones after eating chocolate every day for two weeks. The study's subjects ate 1.4 ounces (40 g) of dark chocolate daily, or a little less than a regular-sized Hershey's bar, which contains 1.55 ounces (44 g). The study adds to a growing body of research showing that certain elements in chocolate — such as antioxidants called polyphenols — can have helpful health benefits. Previous studies found chocolate can help fight heart disease and reduce the chances of developing cancer.