Chocolate: Reality Vs Myth
Whether or not you're a chocolate lover, find out more about this delicacy!
Did you know that…•
The scientific name of the chocolate plant is Theobroma cacao, which means “Food of the Gods.”• Chocolate is made from beans that come from cocoa trees.• The fruit of the cocoa tree grow directly from the trunk and look like small melons. The pulp inside contains 20 - 50 beans. It takes about 400 beans to make 500 grams of chocolate.•
For many centuries, chocolate was believed to be an aphrodisiac.• Chocolate was originally only used as a drink, and only served to men for the reason above.•
The melting point of cocoa is just below human body temperature. This is why chocolate melts in your mouth.•
Theobromine, a mild stimulant found in chocolate, can be toxic or even lethal to domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and other animals as a result of its affect on their kidneys, heart, and central nervous system.•
White chocolate is actually not chocolate. It is made from whole milk, sugar and cocoa butter, but has no cocoa solids. Imitation white chocolate is even made with vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter.
How to choose your chocolate!
Avoid chocolates that are high in sugar.Choose high quality, darker and more bitter chocolates. Look for chocolate made with cocoa butter instead of hydrogenated fats or oils such as palm and coconut oil, which are much worse for your heart. Chocolate is considered high-quality if the only added fat is butter, or if there is no added fat at all.
Why chocolate makes us feel so good!
Researchers found that chocolate contains chemicals called anandamides that make us feel good, and another substance called phenylethylamine that seems to be a mood elevator. The taste of chocolate melting in a person's mouth also stimulates the brain's “feel good” chemicals, endorphins.
A recent major theory was that a meal high in carbohydrates, including chocolate, increases the level of the brain chemical serotonin that regulates mood, and makes us feel calm and relaxed.Chocolate Facts• Chocolate is a rich source of magnesium and phosphorus. It also has small quantities of minerals such as potassium, calcium, zinc and iron, and vitamins A, B1 and B2.•
Chocolate contains antioxidants that help protect against diseases, and after eating it, the antioxidant capacity of the blood increases for at least six hours.• A 40 gram chocolate bar contains about eight grams of fat. Cocoa powder usually contains about one third of a gram of fat in one cup. •
There are about 10 - 30 milligrams of caffeine in a 40 gram chocolate bar, while a cup of coffee contains around 100 to 150 milligrams.•
The average milk chocolate bar contains around 230 calories. Chocolate needs to be consumed in moderation and in low-fat and low-sugar forms because of its potential to increase weight. The recommendation is about 40 grams a few times per week.
Chocolate Myths•
Some people say that they are addicted to chocolate and call themselves “chocoholics.” However, the characteristics of addiction, such as chemical changes in the brain and withdrawal symptoms, are not associated with chocolate consumption. In a recent study, when "chocoholics" were given cocoa in capsules - without the added fat and sugar, and without the 'feel' of chocolate melting in their mouths, there was no satisfying effect at all.•
Some people think that chocolate causes allergies. However, allergies to chocolate are actually very uncommon. Items added during processing, including corn syrup, milk, nuts, soybeans, lecithin, and gluten may be the cause of an allergy or sensitivity. •
Chocolate causes acne. Actually, chocolate has not been found to cause acne. Research also shows that acne is not primarily linked to diet but is more likely related to hormonal changes. However, the sugar present in chocolate will probably make acne or any other similar skin condition worse.•
Chocolate causes cavities. On the contrary, the cocoa butter in chocolate may help protect the teeth by coating them and preventing plaque from forming. In addition, chocolate melts quickly in the mouth, therefore limiting the time it is in contact with our teeth and reducing the potential to cause cavities.
Did you know that…•
The scientific name of the chocolate plant is Theobroma cacao, which means “Food of the Gods.”• Chocolate is made from beans that come from cocoa trees.• The fruit of the cocoa tree grow directly from the trunk and look like small melons. The pulp inside contains 20 - 50 beans. It takes about 400 beans to make 500 grams of chocolate.•
For many centuries, chocolate was believed to be an aphrodisiac.• Chocolate was originally only used as a drink, and only served to men for the reason above.•
The melting point of cocoa is just below human body temperature. This is why chocolate melts in your mouth.•
Theobromine, a mild stimulant found in chocolate, can be toxic or even lethal to domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and other animals as a result of its affect on their kidneys, heart, and central nervous system.•
White chocolate is actually not chocolate. It is made from whole milk, sugar and cocoa butter, but has no cocoa solids. Imitation white chocolate is even made with vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter.
How to choose your chocolate!
Avoid chocolates that are high in sugar.Choose high quality, darker and more bitter chocolates. Look for chocolate made with cocoa butter instead of hydrogenated fats or oils such as palm and coconut oil, which are much worse for your heart. Chocolate is considered high-quality if the only added fat is butter, or if there is no added fat at all.
Why chocolate makes us feel so good!
Researchers found that chocolate contains chemicals called anandamides that make us feel good, and another substance called phenylethylamine that seems to be a mood elevator. The taste of chocolate melting in a person's mouth also stimulates the brain's “feel good” chemicals, endorphins.
A recent major theory was that a meal high in carbohydrates, including chocolate, increases the level of the brain chemical serotonin that regulates mood, and makes us feel calm and relaxed.Chocolate Facts• Chocolate is a rich source of magnesium and phosphorus. It also has small quantities of minerals such as potassium, calcium, zinc and iron, and vitamins A, B1 and B2.•
Chocolate contains antioxidants that help protect against diseases, and after eating it, the antioxidant capacity of the blood increases for at least six hours.• A 40 gram chocolate bar contains about eight grams of fat. Cocoa powder usually contains about one third of a gram of fat in one cup. •
There are about 10 - 30 milligrams of caffeine in a 40 gram chocolate bar, while a cup of coffee contains around 100 to 150 milligrams.•
The average milk chocolate bar contains around 230 calories. Chocolate needs to be consumed in moderation and in low-fat and low-sugar forms because of its potential to increase weight. The recommendation is about 40 grams a few times per week.
Chocolate Myths•
Some people say that they are addicted to chocolate and call themselves “chocoholics.” However, the characteristics of addiction, such as chemical changes in the brain and withdrawal symptoms, are not associated with chocolate consumption. In a recent study, when "chocoholics" were given cocoa in capsules - without the added fat and sugar, and without the 'feel' of chocolate melting in their mouths, there was no satisfying effect at all.•
Some people think that chocolate causes allergies. However, allergies to chocolate are actually very uncommon. Items added during processing, including corn syrup, milk, nuts, soybeans, lecithin, and gluten may be the cause of an allergy or sensitivity. •
Chocolate causes acne. Actually, chocolate has not been found to cause acne. Research also shows that acne is not primarily linked to diet but is more likely related to hormonal changes. However, the sugar present in chocolate will probably make acne or any other similar skin condition worse.•
Chocolate causes cavities. On the contrary, the cocoa butter in chocolate may help protect the teeth by coating them and preventing plaque from forming. In addition, chocolate melts quickly in the mouth, therefore limiting the time it is in contact with our teeth and reducing the potential to cause cavities.
Labels: IN-Sanity
posted by Arjun.C.N at 10:37 PM
