How Much Do You Love Chocolate?

In recent years, the love-hate relationship between health and chocolate has opted to side more favorable. We heard that the chocolate raises fat, cholesterol and causes tooth decay. However, these claims are increasingly questioned. As a part of diet, the chocolate does not promote excess weight if taken in moderation but balances energy intake and energy expenditure of the agency under the supervision of a nutritionist. Both soluble cocoa powder and chocolate are foods of high energy.

Fats derived from cocoa butter containing a large proportion of stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid, unlike other fatty acids which does not increase the level of cholesterol in the blood. It also provide antioxidant compounds that have the ability to prevent oxidation of blood cholesterol which have been linked to cardiovascular disease prevention and stimulation of our immune system. The black chocolate rich in flavonoids and antioxidants that help fight free radicals and premature aging.

Chocolate has theobromine - the substance which owes its bitter taste, which is able to prevent and relieve cough, especially if chronic. As far as dental caries is concerned, the research confirms that, in chocolate especially when using the shell of the cocoa bean has substances that reduce the risk of cavities, so probably soon see products oral care made from these seeds.

The problem of tooth decay is not cocoa, but the sugar that added to make chocolate, which masks the natural bitterness of cocoa and damages our dental health.

The best choice is necessary to know the type of chocolate we are buying: the healthiest of course, the black chocolate without sugar addiction and the maximum possible percentage of cocoa butter. Other low-quality chocolates produce fats are harmful to health, such as palm or coconut fats, whose role bad for cardiovascular health.

We can also use a low fat cocoa powder and / or sugars to combine with low-fat milk and bring to our body calcium, protein, minerals and antioxidants in cocoa.

In University of California San Diego where athletes drank chocolate and lower body mass index which are made from cocoa butter and without sugar.