article about chocolate

Chocolate receives a lot of bad press because of its high fat and sugar content. Some studies have suggested chocolate could lower cholesterol levels and prevent memory decline. They call for further experimental studies to confirm whether consuming chocolate is beneficial. So it’s best to enjoy those Valentine’s Day chocolates in small amounts, as part of a balanced diet. Natalie Butler, RD, LD Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All rights reserved. Considering that heart disease is the number one killer and that dark chocolate has been shown to substantially reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, I believe regular chocolate consumption can be a good thing. Beetroot juice has a similar effect. Ginger adds flavor to foods and can relieve nausea and gastrointestinal irritation and reduce exercise-induced muscle pain and inflammation. Chocolate may have health benefits, but it can have some negative effects, too. Related. >chocolate, a food product made from the beans of the cacao tree, domesticated 3,000 years ago in what is now Honduras. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chocolate has been prepared as a drink for nearly all of its history. The global chocolate market is forecast to reach over $139 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5 … This relationship, called neurovascular coupling, may play an important role in diseases such as Alzheimer’s.”. Learn how chocolate Easter bunnies are made. Chocolate, food product made from cocoa beans, consumed as candy and used to make beverages and to flavor or coat various confections and bakery products. The therapeutic use of cacao and chocolate that originated with Native Americans for angina, respiratory and dental problems, constipation, dysentery, indigestion, weakness, gout, hemorrhoids, and kidney and liver disease have been confirmed, according to a 2010 report in Maturitas: Heavy metals: Some cocoa powders, chocolate bars, and cacao nibs may contain high levels of cadmium and lead, which are toxic to the kidneys, bones, and other body tissues. ; Eating chocolate can help treat and prevent different aches and pains.Thanks to the chemical reactions that occur in the body when we eat sweet foods, it acts a natural analgesic, according to several 2013 studies. Dessert by Design: The Three Pleasures Chocolate stimulates some, but not all, of the same regions of the brain that are activated by drugs such as cocaine. Government and industry standards of what products may be labeled "Dark chocolate" vary by country and market. After the European discovery of the Americas, chocolate became very popular in the wider world, and its demand exploded. In 1657 a Frenchman opened a shop in London at which solid chocolate for making the beverage could be purchased at 10 to 15 shillings per pound. Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma cacao tree seeds. However, according to a review of chocolate’s health effects published in the Netherlands Journal of Medicine, it’s not all bad news. “Fair-Trade” labeled chocolate certifies that the chocolate has been manufactured at a fair wage and with the exclusion of child labor. Updates? 1. The addition of dried or concentrated milk to sweet chocolate produces milk chocolate. The kernels are ground to form a pasty fluid chocolate liquor, which may be hardened in molds to form bitter (baking) chocolate, pressed to reduce the cocoa butter content and then pulverized to make cocoa powder, or mixed with sugar and additional cocoa butter to make sweet (eating) chocolate. 2. Fast facts on chocolate Chocolate consumption has long been associated with conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and... Chocolate is believed to contain high levels of antioxidants. Waterpower was used for grinding the beans. This extract could help slow symptoms such as cognitive decline. A further study, published in the journal Heart in 2015, tracked the impact of diet on the long-term health of 25,000 men and women. How many of these Chocolate facts did you already know? The reduction of the cost of the beverage was hampered in Great Britain by the imposition of high import duties on the raw cocoa bean, and it was not until the mid-19th century, when the duty was lowered to a uniform rate of one penny per pound, that chocolate became popular. Research has proven that chocolate does not induce acne breakout. Chocolate makes an interesting case study because it has emotional appeal, growing consumer demand and it’s a huge global business. Eating chocolate just isn’t the same, she explains. If ever you needed another reason to tuck into that Twix… A study in 1996 showed that chocolate caused the release of endorphins in the brains of American women, making them feel happy. Supporters of dark chocolate point to the higher iron content and levels of antioxidants in their product. The scientists believe that the success of dark chocolate in this case is that it contains flavonols known as epicatechins, which enhance the release of nitric oxide in the body. Dark chocolate may also contain less fat and sugar, but it is important to check the label. Organ meats, also known as offal, are the commonly unused cuts of meats, such as tails and feet. Some studies have suggested chocolate could lower cholesterol levels and prevent memory decline. The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of cocoa, and so, in theory, the higher the level of antioxidants there will be in the bar. Here are some key points about chocolate. Most chocolates do contain some of these flavanols. Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people. Despite its bad reputation for causing weight gain, a number of health benefits may be associated with this delicious treat. So when it comes to these health boosters, she says, “chocolate is not a reliable source.” Grubbs' countryman, Eric Cornell, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2001, told Reuters: "I attribute essentially all my success to the very large amount of chocolate that I consume. Take this quiz to find out. It can be in a solid form like a candy bar or it can be in a liquid form like hot chocolate. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. The scientific name for the tree that chocolate comes from, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.” The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which triggers relaxation. Chocolate is derived from an intensive process of farming, harvesting, and transport, often employing less expensive labor or child labor overseas. Chocolate, or theobroma cacao (the scientific name) literally translates as “food of the gods". Chocolate is believed to contain high levels of antioxidants. Spain was the earliest European country to incorporate chocolate into its cuisine, but exactly how that happened is vague. Findings published in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggest that a little dark chocolate might boost oxygen availability during fitness training. The cacao tree was cultivated more than 3,000 years ago by the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec peoples, who prepared a beverage from its fruit, the cocoa bean (sometimes using it as a ceremonial drink) and also used the bean as a currency. “As different areas of the brain need more energy to complete their tasks, they also need greater blood flow. Observe the preparation of chocolate Easter bunnies. The findings suggested that eating up to 100 grams (g) of chocolate each day may be linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. In total, 465 articles were clearly not relevant to the subject area and were rejected on the basis of the title and abstract. of chocolate. Cocoa is made from the seed of the cacao tree flower. © 2004-2021 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. She covered topics related to art history, architecture, theatre, dance, literature, and music. chocolate, general term for the products of the seeds of the cacao cacao. Dark chocolate has antioxidants that help fight the free radicals and keep diseases at bay. just thinking about chocolate can evoke a pleasurable response. Rich in carbohydrates, it is an excellent source of quick energy, and it also contains minute amounts of the stimulating alkaloids theobromine and caffeine. However, nutrients vary widely in commercially available chocolate bars, depending on the brand and type you choose. Dark chocolate contains minerals like iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, zinc and selenium. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In fact, dark chocolate has compounds that are good for … As ever, moderation is key. Unsweetened chocolates and 100-percent cocoa products are available for purchase online, and at some grocery and health food stores. Cokelat Valentine; Coklat aneka rasa; Uncategorized; Recent Posts. Its consumption has been associated with acne, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and diabetes. On the Pacific coast of Chiapas, Mexico, a Mokaya archaeological site provides evidence of cacao beverages dating even earlier, to 1900 BC. CHOCOLATE IS ACTUALLY A VEGETABLE—KIND OF. The … You may have noticed we’re still on the letter A. Because of the added sugar and cocoa butter, chocolate contains a lot of calories and saturated fat. Overview of the Laboratory for Chocolate Science, a student activity at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Economics of Chocolate Before becoming a kiss, bar, or hot drink, cocoa gets shipped, stashed, smashed, and, most critically for producers and consumers alike, commodified However, research is mixed. The Maya considered chocolate to be the food of the gods, held the cacao tree to be sacred, and even buried dignitaries with bowls of the substance (along with other items deemed useful in the afterlife). Chocolate creates feelings of pleasure because, well, it tastes good and triggers a positive emotional connection. Another study, published in 2016 in the journal Appetite, suggests eating chocolate at least once weekly could improve cognitive function. 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