Aging

 “I have the theory that chocolate slows down the aging process…It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?” (HealthyCarrot.com)

Does it seem that whenever you start to eat chocolate you find it impossible to stop after one piece? Does eating chocolate have an effect of some kind on your mood? If you crave, are extremely fond of, or impulsively consume chocolate, then you might be a chocoholic.  

The word "chocoholic" was first used in 1968, and is a combination of the words "chocolate" and "alcoholic”. There is medical evidence to support the existence of actual addiction to chocolate. Triggers that cause a pleasant reaction for the consumer include sugar quantity and the chemicals like Tryptophan and Phenylethylamine. 

Chocolate’s 4,000-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica (present day Mexico). The Olmec, one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, they were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate. They drank their chocolate during rituals and used it as medicine.

Centuries later, the Mayans praised chocolate as the drink of the gods. Mayan chocolate was a revered brew made of roasted and ground cacao seeds mixed with chilies, water, and cornmeal. Mayans poured this mixture from one pot to another, creating a thick foamy beverage called “xocoatl,” meaning “bitter water.”

By the 15th century, the Aztecs used cocoa beans as currency. They believed that chocolate was a gift from the god Quetzalcoatl, and drank it as a refreshing beverage, an aphrodisiac, and even to prepare for war. There are many different varieties of chocolate products, but they all funnel down to these four main categories:

Dark Chocolate is the closest form to pure cocoa. In many regions it is also known as plain chocolate because not as many additives are included. The fat content comes not from added milk, but from cocoa butter, giving it a purer flavor that is closer in profile to the cocoa bean. In the US, there are two main forms of dark chocolate: semisweet and bittersweet.

Semisweet chocolate has less sugar and a sweeter flavor, while bittersweet chocolate is bitterer. Both are often used for cooking but can be eaten as is, and both are required to contain at least 35% pure cocoa. There is also couverture dark chocolate, which is used for many professional applications. Popular in Europe, couverture chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa butter and is often used for dipping, molding, and coating.

Milk Chocolate is the most widely distributed type of chocolate, and it describes a specific type with certain percentages. It starts with solid chocolate and then has milk added in liquid, powdered, or condensed form. The percentage of cocoa required varies by region, with the US requiring a concentration of only 10% cocoa, while the Europe requires 25%. Milk Chocolate has a creamier, milder taste which is very popular in the US. Many chocolate bars are made with a milk chocolate base.

Ruby Chocolate is a new addition to the chocolate family released in 2017 by Barry Callebaut. It is made from a special bean known as the ruby cocoa bean, which is a rare variety of the standard cocoa bean. The manufacturing process gives the chocolate a pink hue, and the flavor is a combination of sweet and sour. Some people find that there is a hint of raspberry flavor, but raspberries are not required in production. Right now, this is the most difficult kind of chocolate to find as the method of production is still a trade secret.

White Chocolate, like milk chocolate, contains a significant amount of milk and added sugar. The difference is that there are no cocoa solids in white chocolate. The only cocoa product used is cocoa butter. This gives the chocolate its white color as there are no solids involved in the production process. White chocolate still must contain at least 20% cocoa butter to be considered a chocolate product. It has a sweeter, milder taste than milk and dark chocolate, and often uses extra ingredients such as vanilla for added flavor.

Ten health benefits of dark chocolate:

Blood flow: Your blood does the essential job of feeding your body with all that it needs on a daily basis. You need a constant supply of nutrients and oxygen so it is important that your blood is able to flow freely. This means it is important to keep in shape to keep your cardiovascular system in good condition. Compounds in dark chocolate are able to help the blood vessels to relax. This means that blood is able to flow easier through the system.

Blood pressure: High blood pressure is often a result of poor lifestyle choices. Eating the wrong food and a lack of exercise are often the main culprits and it can be very hazardous for your health. It is remedied easily with correcting your lifestyle choices. A general overall improvement can mean getting certain foods in your diet, and dark chocolate is one of them to keep your blood pressure down.

Healthy brain: As you get older, you will find that your body doesn’t work as well as it used to. You will find it harder to move as freely as you did. Your eyes begin to fail you. Your brain can also be affected. It is thought that dark chocolate can help in this regard. Compounds in cocoa may be able to improve cognitive function. It is thought that it can reduce the risk of brain diseases developing and enhance fluency. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which are stimulants that can help provide a boost in the short term.

Heart disease: There are numerous factors that can lead to heart disease, and what you eat can play a significant part in it. In addition to lifestyle factors, there are certain diseases that can also help to cause heart disease. Eating dark chocolate may be able to reduce the risk of heart disease. It is important to make sure that you eat a healthy balanced diet overall. Dark chocolate can complement that diet by making for a tasty treat with added benefits.

Nutritious: Dark chocolate is a very good source of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. It is also a good source of healthy fats that may be able to reduce the risk of heart disease. Eat it in moderation and dark chocolate can actually be very healthy for you.

Prevents diabetes: A person having a resistance to insulin can be one of the biggest causes of diabetes. It can be acquired (although many people are born with the condition). This resistance means the patient is not able to regulate their own blood sugar levels, and this means they have to be very careful about what they eat. Usually, diabetics should avoid chocolate. Studies have shown that dark chocolate can reduce the body’s resistance to insulin. This can help the body to regulate blood sugar levels more effectively.

Reduces oxidation:  The process of oxidation can cause damage to a person’s body at the cellular level. This damage can amount to become something significant, resulting in various complications and maybe even cancer. LDL (bad) cholesterol is prone to oxidation, but dark chocolate can help to prevent this. When this bad cholesterol has oxidized, it means it is then able to react with and damage other cells. Dark chocolate protects this cholesterol against oxidation, which helps to protect your other cells against damage.

Stress relief: The vast majority of us will become stressed from time to time. It is very difficult to avoid as many of the things that happen are completely out of your control. All you can do is to try and handle it the best you can and this includes not allowing it to affect us too much. Eating dark chocolate may help to reduce the levels of stress hormones. If you are experiencing prolonged periods of stress, you should consider speaking with a doctor about it.

Sun protection: The sun gives out energy, which allows life to thrive on Earth. Be careful how long you stay in the sun because its rays can be harmful to your skin. It is a good idea to protect your skin when you are out in the sun, and dark chocolate can help you to achieve that. Dark chocolate can help to improve blood flow to the skin, helping to keep it well hydrated. This can help to prevent your skin from burning. If you have already burned your skin, then dark chocolate may be able to speed up the healing process.

Weight loss: Dark chocolate can encourage weight loss. It is filling, which means you eat less overall, while it also reduces cravings for other foods that are bad for you. It still has quite a high calorific value, but eating it in moderation can be beneficial.

“Chocolate comes from cocoa, which is a tree. That makes it a plant. Chocolate is salad.” (YourTango)[i]

 

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[i] Adapted from:

·        “10 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate” by James

·        “A Brief History of Chocolate” by Chocolate

·        “Are You a ‘Chocoholic’?" by Edward Abramson

·        “Chocoholic” From Wikipedia

·        “What Are the Four Types of Chocolate?” by Dr. Chockenstein

Dark chocolate