Chocolate! Also known as Love, Relief, Joy…

Chocolate! Also known as Love, Relief, Joy…

If you do not enjoy a piece of chocolate you really missed an ancient flavour of God’s gift…

History of Chocolate

The history of chocolate are often traced to the traditional Mayans and even earlier to the traditional Olmecs of southern Mexico. The Mayan written history mentions chocolate drinks getting used in celebrations and to finalize important transactions. The word chocolates give us images of sweet candy bars and colourful truffles, but the chocolate of today is not like the chocolate of the past. 

Chocolate as currency!

The Aztecs (a nomadic tribe in northern Mexico) took chocolate admiration to another level. They believed cacao was given to them by their gods. Even though they consumed chocolate they also used cacao beans as currency to buy food and other goods. In Aztec culture, cacao beans were considered more valuable than gold.

Chocolate Today

Today, chocolate would be considered a creamy treat for kids. It has been a source of strength and wellness for thousands of years. Chocolate is available to drink, but is more often enjoyed as edible and also used in desserts and baked foods. It is hard to say that an average chocolate bar isn’t considered healthy, dark chocolate has earned its place as a heart-healthy, antioxidant-rich treat.

Are you more health-conscious?

It's has been said that consuming chocolate would

· Increase blood flow and reducing blood pressure

· Reduce the biomarkers of inflammation

· Have overall positive changes in cholesterol levels

· Improving skin elasticity

· Positive changes in mood and feeling of calmness

· Increased oxygenation during exercise if taken pre-workout.

It can be a part of our healthy diet (Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs).

A lover of chocolate would always find out excuses to consume it. As I do…

Some hate me too...

It is hard to accept that it has got some health-related issues. It is not the chocolate but the artificial sugar added along with it causes health-related issues. Some of the predominant negative comments are as follows….

High Calories − Chocolate is full of calories. A 1.55-ounce bar of milk chocolate contains 235 calories.

High in sugar content − the rich flavour of chocolate was made up of the high sugar content. A normal serving of chocolate bar contains 22.66 grams of sugar.

Affects tooth – too much Consumption of chocolate would increase tooth decay. Tooth cavities in kids are mainly due to the consumption of chocolates.

Lack of Minerals and Vitamins –it was argued that some bacteria in the body would work with chocolate and would reduce mineral intake. Chocolate just provides 8% of the daily suggested intake of calcium and 2% of iron intake

Although chocolate is safe in moderate amounts for children, you shouldn't give chocolate or any other caffeine product to toddlers under the age of 2 years. You may want to avoid offering chocolate if your toddler has a milk allergy or is lactose intolerant.

There nothing do or die effect in consuming chocolate. I love chocolate because my loved ones once liked it. Enjoying and sharing a chocolate bar is like sharing my love and concern. As it says an apple a day will keep the doctor away, I say a bar of chocolate in a week would keep your love and concern awake. Love chocolate and don’t hesitate to share. 

Happy chocolate day…