The Truth About Chocolate

If you’re confused when it comes to chocolate, you’re not alone. A health food? A tasty indulgence? Maybe a little of both? That’s the topic of my steemit blog. I hope you’ll find the answers to your questions, and also post a note with your own thoughts!

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Some basic chocolate “truths”:

1. Chocolate comes from a plant – it’s the seeds (within the pods) of the cacao tree. It’s naturally very bitter; if you munched on a cacao bean, you would find a very harsh and bitter taste, nothing like chocolate as we know it.
2. Chocolate varies in its preparation. There are government regulations of what can be called “chocolate”, depending on its ratio of: cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, and milk. Ranging from baking chocolate (almost no added sugars), to dark chocolate (limited sugar and abundant cocoa solids), to milk chocolate (lots of sugar, added milk, and less cocoa solids), to “white” chocolate (NOT classified as chocolate at all, because it has no cocoa solids!)
3. A special type of antioxidant is found in cocoa solids, called “flavanols”, which are where the health-promoting heart healthy claims of chocolate come from. This is dose related, meaning the more you eat, the more flavanols you consume.
4. The new “super cocoas” are the wave of the future to harness the health benefits associated with the flavanols. The first of these is a Flavanol Rich Chocolate (containing 200 mg per serving – that’s a lot!), produced by the company, Cocoa Via. It’s the active ingredient, without the sugar and fat of a regular chocolate bar.
5. Chocolate is also a “carrier” for other nutrients, which are unrelated to the activity of the flavanols. Calcium fortified chocolates (in milk and dark varieties) provide ½ the daily calcium requirement in one disk (at 30 calories), plus vitamin D. Plus, phytosterols (plant chemicals) are added to some chocolates to boost the cholesterol lowering ability of the product (Cocoa Via bars with 80-100 calories each). Again, any potential health benefits come from regular – daily – consumption.

Bottom line? Enjoy a modest serving of chocolate IF you enjoy it. Don’t start consuming chocolate as an addition to a “healthy diet”. Calories count, so monitor your portions, and allow a small indulgence. You don’t need to justify a chocolate treat for the health benefits of chocolate. While there are some health benefits to flavanols, they’re also present in a variety of other foods, including apples, grapes, wine (fermented grapes!), and tea.

As with all things eaten, moderation is key! What are your thoughts?