Yummy Day! It`s the World`s Chocolate Day.

It is another day to celebrate the world`s goody called "Chocolate". It won't be a bad idea to educate ourselves on this wonderful food concept which has been doing wonders to the world`s taste buds.

Chocolate is a food product manufactured from cocoa beans and consumed as candy. Chocolate is used to flavour or coat different confections, pastries and baked goods. It is used to make beverages. It is a fantastic source of instant energy since it is high in carbohydrates and also includes trace levels of the stimulating alkaloids caffeine and theobromine.

Types of chocolate

1.   Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate contains cocoa bean solids (up to 80% of the total weight) and cocoa butter. With the intense, persistent aroma of cocoa, it melts in the mouth, leaving a pleasant, bitter aftertaste. Its quality depends on the percentage of cocoa. Most of the health benefits attributable to chocolate are associated with consuming the dark type.

 

Dark Chocolate

2.      Gianduja chocolate: Gianduja chocolate consists of a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, cocoa, and sugar; it is brown.

 Gianduja chocolate

3.    Milk chocolate: it contains cocoa butter, sugar, milk powder, lecithin, and cocoa (the latter not less than 20–25%). With a bright appearance, it has an intense, persistent aroma and sweet taste with a slightly bitter accent of cocoa.

Milk Chocolate

4. White chocolate: contains cocoa butter, milk, and sugar with no cocoa solids; it has a sweet, pleasant taste.

White Chocolate

5.      Raw chocolate, is chocolate produced from unroasted cocoa beans that do not contain any additives like sugars.

Raw Chocolate

Health Benefits of Chocolate

3.  Promotes Heart Health: 

Studies have shown that the antioxidants in chocolate can lower blood pressure, lessen the risk of clotting, and enhance blood flow to the heart, decreasing the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart-related death.

4.   Maintains Immune System Balance: 

Flavonols stop the immune system from overreacting and lessen oxidative stress, which is an imbalance brought on by cells fighting off free radicals and a common root of many diseases.

5.  Fights against diabetes: 

Epicatechin strengthens, protects, and promotes the body's processes for greater insulin absorption, which may help treat or prevent diabetes.

6.      Enhances mental performance: 

Flavonols in chocolate have a good effect on mental performance, including faster reaction times and increased visual-spatial awareness.

      Stress Reduction:

Researchers verified that there were lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after eating chocolate, and people who consumed it claimed to feel less anxious.

      Cholesterol: 

According to a study that was published in The Journal of Nutrition, eating chocolate may help lower cholesterol levels or "bad cholesterol."

Chocolate varieties

It is also important to know that chocolate has multi health benefits, but it can have some negative effects, as well. The negative effects of chocolate include:

·         Weight gain: 

According to certain research, eating chocolate is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and central body fat levels. However, due to its high sugar and fat content, chocolate can have a high-calorie count. Anyone who wants to lose weight or keep it off should limit their intake of chocolate and read the ingredients list on their favourite brands.

·         Sugar content: 

Tooth decay can also be brought on by the high sugar content of most chocolate.

·         Migraine risk: 

Due to the tyramine, histamine, and phenylalanine levels in cocoa, some individuals may report an increase in headaches when regularly consuming chocolate.

·         Bone health: 

Some data indicate osteoporosis and weak bones may be brought on by chocolate consumption.

·         Heavy metals: 

Some cocoa powders, chocolate bars, and cacao nibs may contain high levels of cadmium and lead, which are toxic to the kidneys, bones, and other body tissues.

Here we are on the bits of knowledge on the peoples' delight. Chocolate is being celebrated today. Did you know and are you also celebrating? Let us know in the comment section what is your opinion on CHOCOLATE.

Author: Oluwatobi I. Adeyemo.

Edited by: Josephine Oluseyi Adebayo.

Graphics: Timileyin Oladayo and Linked Websites

©Food and Agricultural Technology Unit - Pan African Research Group

Edition 1 Volume 4 Article 2