Chocolate - A Healthy Food

Chocolate is always seen as a luxury food and therefore something rather naughty or even unhealthy - but is that a fair assessment? Along with so many other things in our diets, the supposed negative or positive aspects of eating chocolate are the subject of much controversy. Each time a new report is published it throws the conclusions of the previous one into disarray. This is true for many other foods as well as our beloved chocolate! Perhaps the true answer is not so much in chocolate itself but in the way, and the amount, that we eat. The chemical constituents of chocolate include a flavinoid and as flavinoids are known to benefit the circulation there can be no argument about that aspect of the benefits of eating chocolate. Chocolate also contains anti-oxidants which help remove other harmful constituents from the blood such as free radicals- again that is not in dispute.

This is the point at which opinions begin to differ, as the argument for chocolate in terms of flavinoids and anti-oxidants is negated for many people by the presence of the sugar and fat in chocolate. The potentially harmful effects of these are seen as outweighing the benefits of the others, particularly as flavinoids are available in other food and drink such as vegetables, fruit and tea. As with many things, common sense has to play a part. All things are harmful when taken in excess, even foods which are generally believed to be beneficial to our health. Moderation is the key in every aspect of life and eating chocolate is no exception.

Where sugars are concerned, from a health point of view complex sugars are deemed to be better as they take a longer time to break down within the body. However simple sugars are also carbohydrates and will furnish energy on demand, enabling our bodies to function efficiently. Fats in small quantities perform necessary functions within the body, helping to modulate some hormones within the brain and as a carbohydrate it also provides energy quickly when required. However it must be said that one of the fats found in chocolate is stearic acid, which is a saturated fat and thus can lead to an increase in cholesterols. Again, moderation is the key. There are many chemical compounds in chocolate that are far more beneficial and should be taken into account when worrying about any possible negative effects of the fats and sugars. For example caffeine - though harmful if taken to excess, is thought to be a positive influence on health if taken in small amounts. The quantity of caffeine in chocolate is less than that in coffee so having a cup of hot chocolate is less of an issue than having an equivalent cup of coffee - though I have to confess to a personal weakness for a dash of coffee in my hot chocolate or even a dash of chocolate in my coffee!

There is no doubt that chocolate has a 'feel good' factor, and is much loved by many women when PMT strikes. In fact there are times when it isn't safe for any male to enter our house unless they carry a bar of chocolate in front of them like a shield! Tryptophan, one of the compounds that develops into Serotonin, is found in chocolate. Serotonin is a chemical within the brain that helps us to handle the effects of stress and combat depression so there is another benefit there. Serotonin is created within the brain when we are sleeping so if you are short of sleep chocolate can be of great help in keeping you on an even keel. Research has also indicated that chocolate causes the release of endorphins within the brain which give you a 'high' in the shape of a feeling of well being and relaxation. Combined with the mild stimulant effect of Theobromine, chocolate can produce a feeling of alertness and generates a much more positive outlook that some of the other stimulants we occasionally take on board like alcohol.

Better quality, high cocoa solid content chocolate, the so called gourmet chocolate, has far less fat and sugar, and provided that, like all good things, we take it in moderation there is little harm done. In short, chocolate makes us feel good and that has to be beneficial to our sense of health and well being.

Cherrie Carew has a passion - Chocolate. It is a passion made for sharing and The Chocolate Casket is a box of chocolate lore, recipes, news and more that you won't be able to resist diving into. There is absolutely everything the chocoholic could desire....

Related Articles:
JellyBasket - Order Palmalito guava jelly by the case or gift basket!
Palmetto Canning Co., Inc. - Contract Packaging in glass or plastic for sauces, marinades, and other food products
CareMetix, Inc. - Contract Packaging for tube filling, form fill and seal, wet or dry chemical products including polyvinyl packaging.

Dining Tables: Bringing People and Food Together
Dining tables may not seem that important, but think about it: how often do you use it for a family gathering? What about when you invite special company over? Maybe your dining room does double duty as the place you pay your bills. However you use your dining room, different dining table styles evoke all sorts of moods, from traditional to contemporary and everything in between.

When Fast Foods Become a Healthy Food Choice With Subway Diet
The Subway diet promotes a healthy dietary plan that can be obtained from eating at the Subway fast food chain which when coupled with regular exercise can be an effective means of losing significant weight without and risk The Subway diet became highly popularized when it was found out how effective are the nutritious foods prepared in Subway, a leading food chain restaurant that serves a variety of less than 6 grams of fats of sandwiches

Dining Out and Food Shopping in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes has a great reputation for its shopping but it?s also unsurpassed for another great pastime, eating out As well as shops in Milton Keynes, over the years it has also become a good place to dine, perhaps during the day while visiting its vast collection of retail outlets, with the family as a special treat or evening entertaining for that special loved one on a memorable occasion

Food, Dining - Boca Raton
Boca Raton has a wide range of restaurants and eating outlets which cater to the pallets of almost everyone coming to the city from all over the world. The caf?, bars and ethnic family restaurants will enhance your meeting with the romantic partner or a business associate.

Food, Glorious Food: Minneapolis-Saint Paul Farmers Markets Serve up Regional and Organic Bounty
Supplied by three urban farmers markets, celebrity chef-driven restaurants and independent local eateries offer seasonal variety and make the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area an enlightening food-focused getaway.

Major Food and Drink Manufacturers Pledge to Reduce Water Use
Twenty-one of the UK's leading food and drink manufacturers have today signed an historic agreement to improve their water efficiency and thereby reduce water use. Once rolled out across the sector as a whole, the initiative could save some 140 million litres of water per day - equivalent to 56 Olympic-size swimming pools - and a combined financial saving of around £60m per year on water bills.

Foods To Avoid With Gout While Dining Out
Gout is a painful condition that is caused by a build up of uric acid crystals in joints. In most cases, this will happen in the big toe, or between the big toe and the one next to it. The overabundance of this uric acid will crystallize and settle in that joint and be pretty painful. Though gout is mostly a problem that men face, women develop gout on occasion. It is like arthritis in nature, but it can be very easy to treat with the right diet and certain medications. It?s a great idea for anyone with this condition to watch what he or she eats. Knowing what foods to avoid with gout will help greatly when you are eating out in a restaurant.

Managing Your Food Allergy: Staying Safe While Dining Out
September is National Food Safety Education Month® (NFSEM), and the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation has available a series of educational videos to raise awareness about this year?s theme, ?Take Action to Prevent an Allergic Reaction,? which focuses on the importance of reducing the incidence of food allergic reactions in the restaurant setting.

Historical Restaurant Mirrors Change In Los Angeles' Food And Drink Scene
Los Angeles' noted Brown Derby restaurant played host to many stars during Hollywood's 'Golden Age.' The eatery was an example of novelty architecture, as it was built to resemble a brown derby hat. The Brown Derby was the first restaurant to serve chiffon cake, a recipe invented by an insurance salesman and later given wide distribution by Betty Crocker.

Businesses - Leisurely Dining Or Fast Food
It occurred to me the other day, that so many people today liken their businesses to the way they eat - fast. Think about it.