Chocolate - simply irresistible?
For many, chocolate is their favorite sweet. Especially when it gets colder again, we can't resist it. But why is it like that? We explain why we love chocolate.
Not only children are crazy about sweets. Even as adults, we still have a sweet tooth - especially when it comes to chocolate. Consumer surveys show that milk and nut chocolate in particular are simply irresistible. But what exactly is that?
Scientists have not yet been able to fully decipher why chocolate is so popular. One thing is clear: addictive substances stimulate and increase appetite. That's why it's so hard to stop snacking after just a little bit. But do we really have to do without this pleasure? No! With a balanced diet and regular exercise, we can easily consume three bars of chocolate a week without any negative health consequences. Widely touted as a fatty, sweet, and high-calorie product, eating chocolate actually has many benefits. Most importantly, cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants. However, cocoa beans lose many of their positive properties during roasting. Raw chocolate, in which the cocoa beans are cold-pressed and processed, which preserves all the valuable ingredients, is particularly recommended. So if you want to eat a particularly healthy diet, pay attention to the processing of the chocolate. By eating real chocolate, you can supplement the recommended intake of flavonoids. They have a very positive effect on the cardiovascular system, increase concentration and protect the body from tumors. Experiments have shown that eating chocolate does not increase blood cholesterol levels.
A 25 gram dark chocolate candy bar is safe to include in a low cholesterol diet! Carl Keen, nutritionist at the University of California showed that regular drinking of cocoa can help prevent cardiovascular disease.
When it comes to snacking, the most important thing is quality. If you consume cheaply produced chocolate, which consists mainly of sugar and cocoa substitutes, you will not be able to benefit from the positive effects on your health. Always make sure that there is a high proportion of pure cocoa, check the ingredients and prefer high-quality dark chocolate. With a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can be sure that enjoying chocolate will not cause any harm. So enjoy your chocolate without regrets.
