How healthy is chocolate?

If you're asked what's fattening and unhealthy, the first thing you'll hear is good old Chocolate come to mind. There is no other sweet that is so associated with all the festivals of the year. When it comes to "sinning," it's one of the top choices. After all, it tastes great. As a child, you were happy to eat chocolate. Today, you hesitate at first because you're thinking about your figure.

In recent years, research into the basic ingredient in chocolate - cocoa - has uncovered some remarkable facts. Cocoa is able to work for you. It can even help make your body fitter and healthier. How can it do that, you ask? Cocoa can help limit fat storage in your body, brighten your mood, and boost the performance of your cardiovascular system. Those are just the known benefits. It's time to put chocolate to good use and enjoy it without guilt.

 

The food of the gods

The ancient Aztecs and Mayans already revered chocolate and called it the "food of the gods. The cocoa became the "divine drink" and was reserved only for the top layer. The cacao tasted bitter, had a muddy consistency and was drunk cold. Nevertheless, even the Spanish conquerors thought that one cup would allow a man to go the whole day without eating.

The cocoa drink of the Aztecs - the "Xocolatl" - was probably the first sports drink of mankind. In the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors brought cocoa to Europe. Here it was adapted to the local taste with countless additives. Thus, the valuable cocoa of the Aztecs became the sweet and unhealthy chocolate of Western industrial society.

Here is the recipe for the "Xocolatl" of the Aztecs to make:

Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups water
1 green chili pepper sliced
1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

• Boil chili peppers in water for 5-10 minutes (about ¾ of a cup).
• Remove chilies and add 2 more cups of water.
• Bring liquid to a boil again and add the vanilla when the water heats up.
• Add cocoa powder and stir for 5 minutes.
• Allow to cool and serve.

The Xocalatl is not sweet and does not taste particularly delicious. But it is a turbo drink for your body.

Chocolate relaxes

Cocoa is a fruit that grows on trees. When harvested, the cocoa seeds are removed and ground. The cocoa powder is created after the fatty cocoa butter is removed. It is very spicy and has remarkable nutrients, some of which you can definitely feel. For one, cocoa powder contains theobromine, which acts like a gentler form of caffeine. It makes you feel alert and stimulates your mind. Among many other ingredients, cocoa powder also contains tryptophan, which is a precursor to the neurotransmitter hormone serotonin, which has a calming effect. Another valuable asset of cocoa is anandamide, which promotes relaxation. The interaction of the ingredients of cocoa powder leads to a clear improvement in mood.

Cocoa powder strengthens the cardiovascular system

Studies have shown that the flavonoids contained in cacao powder optimize blood flow and have a positive effect on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. As you know, good blood circulation is an ideal condition for building muscles through your strength training. Your performance will improve and your recovery periods will be shorter. Cocoa contains arginine, an amino acid that is a direct precursor of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide, in turn, are crucial factors of blood flow. Obviously, cocoa also influences the amount of nitric oxide as well as its retention time in tissues. Another important component of cocoa powder are antioxidants. They fight the free radicals released in the body by your hard weight training. Research has shown that dark chocolate ingestion - in both competitive athletes and non-athletic people - has led to a reduction in inflammation. However, the exact amounts have not yet been scientifically determined.

Cocoa powder can help get a leaner and fitter body

It all depends, which chocolate you eat. The darker it is, the better it is. You should never underestimate the high number of calories. Therefore, a healthy amount is absolutely crucial so that the ingredients of cocoa powder can also help you make your body fitter and slimmer. The cocoa components reduce the efficiency of the enzymes that digest the carbohydrates and fats. As a result, these are utilized less and do not end up in your depots as quickly. Another benefit of cocoa powder is to limit the activity of certain genes that increase the ability to store fat. It is also interesting to note that studies have found increased occurrences of fatty acids in the blood. This leads to the assumption that the consumption of dark chocolate has led to an increase in the release from adipose tissue.

What chocolate should you eat and to what extent?

Two questions arise in connection with chocolate consumption. How much can you eat? Which types of chocolate should you choose? One thing should be clear to you now: The health-promoting properties come from the cocoa powder. Western chocolate, however, is much more than that. The additives - such as sugar - are the problem. The darker it is, the better it is. Since you certainly have a Western palate, a chocolate with at least 70 % cocoa would be a good choice for you to start with. It still tastes sweet enough. Over time, you can increase the percentage. When buying, pay attention to the quality. It should clearly state the cocoa percentage on the package. The chocolate should contain as little sugar as possible. You can vary the daily amount. It may be between 40 and 55 grams. But even with a high cocoa content, the fat and carbohydrate content of the calories is very high. At 40 grams, there are about 200 calories. However, many of these calories occur naturally, as they come directly from the cocoa. Unlike a milk chocolate, you're only consuming half as much sugar here. Be careful with the quantity and choice of chocolate, and it will be more than good for you.