Chocolate makes sweet moments sweeter

Chocolate makes sweet moments sweeter
                        

The Aztecs called chocolate a divine drink. They considered the cacao (ca-cow) bean of such value that it was used as currency. They could drink their beans or spend them.

A chocolate liquid is made from the cacao beans and becomes the form of chocolate as we know it. Chocolate is one of the most popular commodities in the world.

Chocolate is a food that is often misunderstood. Each American consumes an average of 11 pounds a year. I eat my share and then some.

Rumor has it nine out of 10 people like chocolate; the 10th person always lies. I will admit I have never found a piece of real chocolate I did not like. Don’t buy the cheap stuff. Get real.

Refrain from buying inexpensive chocolate. Many nonchocolate additives do not have the same taste nor therapeutic effects. Get the good stuff — real chocolate — and let it melt in your mouth. Dark chocolate is the healthiest.

An addiction is a serious medical condition, and a chocolate lover can exhibit an addictive-like behavior; the desire for chocolate is a strong biological craving, not an addiction. There is no pharmacological evidence of addiction. People eating chocolate desire it because they enjoy the sensation of eating it. Craving chocolate is a learned behavior — one I have learned very well. It is one of my comfort foods. In fact, I am enjoying a piece of chocolate as I write these words.

In the past chocolate has been blamed for many health problems from headaches, diabetes, tooth decay and heart disease to acne. This is not true. Recent research has clarified the health benefits of chocolate and justified our love affair with the creamy rich substance.

Chocolate has an unusual capacity to interact with body and brain chemistry. There are nearly 300 chemical compounds associated with the cacao bean. A few have been singled out as having therapeutic effects.

The antioxidant power found in the cacao bean is more complex than other foods. They even have a superior beneficial effect. In fact, it is four times more powerful than the antioxidants in tea. Thus, chocolate supports the immune system and cardiovascular health.

Portion size is extremely important. A heart-healthy diet does not consist of chocolate alone; it can be part of a nutritious diet of healthy food choices.

Chocolate has a relatively small amount of caffeine. One ounce has as much as a 6-ounce cup of decaffeinated coffee, 6 milligrams. It also contains a considerable amount of the chemical compounds, theobromine and phenylethylamine. This can enhance the action of feel-good hormones and can act as brain stimulants, a temporary sense of well-being.

Chocolate can be eaten at any time of the day and any day of the year. The desire to eat chocolate during that certain time of the month enhances a feel-good sensation. Women like to be pampered, especially when hormones are raging. Thus, chocolate is devoured to soothe their inner self. Personally, I do not care what drives me to enjoy chocolate. I have eaten chocolate with breakfast.

Happy Valentine’s Day. Share some chocolate with your sweetheart and make the moment even sweeter.

Bobbie Randall is a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load