What Are The Properties Of Chocolate And Why Is It Good For Your Heart?

From a cup of hot chocolate to a birthday cake, this ingredient can be used in the preparation of countless desserts and drinks, since in addition to flavor, it provides multiple benefits to your health.

What is chocolate?

Chocolate comes from cocoa and is the result of mixing this seed with other ingredients. This seed is credited with antioxidant properties and is grown in some departments.

According to Joseline Mendoza, an expert instructor in the production of artisanal chocolate, the Mayans were the precursors of the process of creating cocoa paste, which led years later to the industrialization of the procedures for producing this food until arriving at the chocolate bars that we know today.

It is worth noting that there is a specific difference between cocoa and chocolate: “Cocoa is the paste obtained by grinding cocoa beans. In this case, chocolate is the fusion of sugar and this paste,” says Mendoza. In this sense, Mendoza emphasizes that the flavor of the original cocoa is bitter and not sweet as is commonly considered.

Uses and benefits of chocolate

There is research that claims that dark chocolate has many health benefits, especially related to the reduction of the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

In this regard, Nutritionist Karla Franco, who is also a specialist in overweight and obesity issues, indicates that consuming chocolate has some important health benefits, but emphasizes that the ideal is to consume dark chocolate, which has a greater amount of pure cocoa.

In this sense, it is important to emphasize that the higher the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate, the more nutritional properties it will have. Among the benefits of this type of chocolate, Franco mentions the following:

1. Prevents heart disease. This benefit is also noted in medical research from various parts of the world.
2. It is an antioxidant, which prevents premature aging.
3. At the brain level, it helps us maintain blood flow, which allows us to have optimal cognitive function.
4. In the case of Alzheimer’s, it also helps prevent further deterioration.
5. On the other hand, chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa reduces the risk of suffering a stroke.
6. It contains flavonoids and cocoa sterols, which help keep LDL cholesterol at low levels.

On the other hand, the Mayo Clinic also emphasizes the benefits of chocolate related to the prevention of blood clots, memory and cholesterol reduction, and even the prevention of some types of cancer. However, experts also refer to its caloric content, which is why they recommend consuming it in moderation.

Disadvantages of chocolate

Franco says that chocolate can cause weight gain and in some cases has a high sugar content, which is why he emphasizes the importance of consuming dark chocolate to avoid this problem.

Highly processed chocolates also contain tyramine, histamine, and other components that increase the frequency of migraine episodes. On the other hand, children should consume chocolate in moderation to avoid tooth decay.

In short, chocolate should be consumed in moderation to prevent these conditions. In the case of people with diabetes, overweight, migraines, or any disease that requires special attention, it is always advisable to consult a doctor about its consumption.

However, if you eat this food wisely and in the right way, you can enjoy multiple benefits that include the prevention of heart disease and other serious illnesses.