Wed 18 Apr 2007
Chocolate has a long been a favored food of many cultures, including ancient cultures like Aztec and Mayan. However, there are myths that chocolate should be eaten sparingly as it can cause migraines, acne, obesity and many other illnesses. New research is challenging these common beliefs and suggests that eating chocolate in moderation may have its benefits.
The nutritional content of chocolate varies according to the recipe that is used. But in general chocolate can possbily contain:
protein - needed for cell maintenance and repair;
fat - varies, but generally about 30 percent fat, of which about 50 per cent is saturated fat;
vitamin E - a fat-soluble vitamin essential for cell membranes;
calcium, phosphorus and magnesium - minerals essential for strong bones and teeth;
iron - needed to form hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying compound in blood;
caffeine and theobromine - nervous system stimulants;
Check out the latest videos on our chocolate videos page
copper - assists iron metabolism, formation of melanin (in hair and skin) and functioning of the central nervous system;
sugars - varies in concentration, but often about 50 percent;
antioxidant phytochemicals (such as flavonoids) - cocoa beans, a main ingredient of chocolate (more so in dark chocolate), contain more than 600 plant chemicals, including antioxidants, that may protect against heart disease and cancer.
The famed energy of chocolate comes from its fats. Chocolate is energy dense. What it actually means is that chocolate contains high levels of kilojoules for its weight. It contains around 2200kJ per 100g.
It possible, and may be true that chocolate contains the possible health benefits mentioned. As a the Duke of Chocolate the main thing is chocolate enjoyment and comfort. The possible health benefits is just an extra feather in the cap. As for the possible health risks. That is poppycock. I don’t believe it one bit. This is not to discredit those that have allergic reactions to chocolate.
tags: chocolate, chocaholic, Duke of Chocolate, chocolate health benefits, chocolate health risks
Article Series - Chocolate Education
- Origin of Chocolate: A rose is a rose by any other name, or A chocolate is a chocolate by any other name
- Chocolate Benefits / Fascination
- From Cacao to chocolate
- Chocolate Wedding Cake: For Life Changing Events
- Chocolate Shops can buy Chocolate from Chocolate Factories
- What is a Chocolate Fountain? What is it made of? Where do you rent one?
- Chocolate Gifts make great Chocolate Wedding Favors
- Is Dark Chocolate the most beneficial for your health?
- The Chocolate: Natural Way
- Chocolate Health Benefits: Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure
- Chocolate and Women: Sex Sells!!!
- Chocaholics / Chocoholics –Something to Smile About and Look Forward To and NOT ALCOHOLISM
- Chocolate Pudding
- Cacao Trees Bearer of raw cacao beans
- Chocolate and Blogs
- Chocolate Taste
- Chocolate Easter Eggs and Good Friday: Easter and Chocolate
- Cadbury Chocolate Dairy Milk
- Chocolate Houses, Clubs, and Starbucks: What do they have in common?
- Cacao Cultivation / Raw Cacao Beans
- Chocolate Talk
- (Cocoa / Cacao) Beans to (Cocoa / Cacao) Butter
- Popularity of Chocolate: Why is chocolate such a popular gift?
- Chocolate Possible Health Benefits and Myths
- How to make (Dark) Chocolate Gift Baskets for All Occasions including Mother's Day
- Fermenting and Chocolate
- How to make chocolate from the beginning? Cacao Tree Cultivation Requirements
- How is gourmet chocolate made? Chocolate Tempering Process is a step of many!!
- Blood and Chocolate: Chocolate and The Media - i.e Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Sugar Free Chocolate for Mother's Day (an excellent gift?)
- What is Chocolate Sauce? What are Chocolate Sauce ingredients? How to make Chocolate Sauce?
- Chocolate Intoxication is bad for your pet Chocolate Lab.
- Chocolate Pie - You can use chocolate or sugar free chocolate products
- The Chocolate Diet - Does It Work? Is it a fad? or Here to stay?
- Nutritional Values of Chocolate / Chocolate Nutrition
- Chocolate Cheese Cake with cherries
- Ferment and the Chocolate Part 2 part of a process in a chocolate factory
- Chocolate Casting and Solidification - part of chocolate making
- The Chocolate - Good or Bad / Boon or Bane
- The Chocolate Consumer
- Is (DarK) Chocolate on the Endangered Species?
- American Chocolate Week - Heaven for Chocoholics
- To Heck with Chocolate Mint Day
- Forget low fat only Chocolate, purchase sugar free low fat chocolate!!!!
- Where do Cocoa Trees Grow?
- Gourmet Chocolate Chips: Tips to making delicous delectable chocolate cookies
- How to harvest cocoa seeds?
- What is Cheddar Chocolate?
- A Dessert's Best Friend is Chocolate Syrup
- What is Chocolate Cuisine?
- Roasting Cocoa Beans to Make Chocolate
- Download Your Free ChocolateCurb Chocolate Recipe Book
- The Spanish Secret Known as Cocoa Beans
- Minty Hot Chocolate
- Box Place Holder with 4 Chocolates
- The Largest Chocolate Manufacturers
- Cocoa Bean Stock Futures
- Aztecs Invented Chocolate 3100 Years Ago, Not for the sweetness
- Chocolate Cover Fondants
- Commercial Chocolate Making
- Great Breakfast Cocoa Drink
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May 17th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Chocolate Possible Health Benefits and Myths…
Chocolate has a long been a favored food of many cultures, including ancient cultures like Aztec and Mayan. However, there are myths that chocolate should be eaten sparingly as it can cause migraines, acne, obesity and many other illnesses. New researc…