The Health Benefits of Chocolate

The Health Benefits of Chocolate in General Healthcare

There’s probably no surprise the most common gift one gives a sweetheart on Valentine’s Day is chocolate.

Chocolate and Valentine’s Day go together like turkey and Thanksgiving.

In fact, U.S. retail chocolate sales for the week of Valentine’s Day are expected to be roughly $323 million. Last year during the week of Valentine’s Day, the total sales reached $322.7 million.

That’s a lot of chocolate. It’s a good thing many studies show the health benefits of chocolate… dark chocolate that is.

Before we dive into the health effects, let’s look at how chocolate is made.

The Making of Chocolate

All chocolate is produced from cocoa beans from the cacao tree native to South America.

The beans are fermented, dried, roasted, ground, and then put into a liquid form. The liquid is called chocolate liquor— it doesn’t have any alcohol, though. The chocolate liquor can be pressed to produce liquid cocoa butter and solid cocoa powder.

When mixed with sugar and other ingredients, then cooled, you have good ol’ solid chocolate.

So what’s the difference between dark and milk chocolate? Dark chocolate is made when you add sugar and other flavorings to the chocolate liquor. Milk chocolate is made the same way as dark chocolate — except with milk as an added ingredient.

Bittersweet and semisweet chocolate are also dark chocolate, but with varying amounts of sugar.

The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Cocoa has long been thought to have health benefits. The Mayans and Aztecs consumed cocoa to ease symptoms from illnesses, to help lose weight, and help hangovers, reported The New York Times.

There is typically a large amount of raw cocoa in dark chocolate — and cocoa contains a plant compound called flavonoids.

The flavonoids are filled with antioxidants which studies have suggested lower blood pressure. Even more, studies have shown that dark chocolate widened the diameter of arteries and helps blood circulation in the body.

Other healthy foods such as green tea, fruits, and vegetables also contain flavonoids.

“Cocoa contains the same nutrients found in other plant foods, including minerals and specific antioxidants that help ward off diseases such as heart disease,” said Althea Zanecosky, a dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

“In addition, oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil, makes up one-third of the fat in chocolate and has been shown to be beneficial for heart health,” added Zanecosky.

Is all chocolate the same?

Researchers note that commercially produced chocolate typically contains a lower level of flavonoids than fresh cocoa beans and powder.

Unfortunately, milk chocolate doesn’t have the same health benefits as dark chocolate. The fat in the milk and butter in milk chocolate has been shown to negate the benefits of the flavonoids.

Dark Chocolate Sells

In the wake of the dark chocolate health revelation, sales have shot up 49 percent from 2003 to 2006, reported Reuters.

One particular food maker has also jumped on the dark chocolate boat. Food giant Mars, Inc. — maker of Snickers and Dove chocolates — have been increasing the amount of flavonoids in their chocolate, according to a New York Times Magazine article.

They’ve developed a special chocolate that retains the flavonoids — in a process called Cocoapro. Mars has included Cocoapro product in Dove’s dark chocolate bar and dark M&M’s, wrote The NY Times.

They also offer CocoaVia, a line of heart healthy chocolates.

Enjoy Dark Chocolate… in Moderation

Just because there’s strong evidence that dark chocolate has health benefits, it doesn’t mean you can eat as much as you want.

Health professionals and nutritionists warn that eating chocolate still adds calories. Excessive consumption could also lead to weight gain — canceling the positive effects of dark chocolate’s flavonoids.

But it’s nice to know dark chocolate in moderation has healthy qualities.

Now you can tell your sweetheart you’re giving them the healthy gift of dark chocolate. We hope everyone has a happy Valentine’s Day!

Comments[0]