Did you know? Cortez introduced chocolate to Spain in 1519. Before that, the Aztecs made a bitter drink from cocoa beans, I suppose a little like coffee. Today it's the world's favorite confection and mood enhancer.
This Halloween you can feel a little less guilty as you consume those chocolate treats!
Here are some reasons why:
This morning the news lady told us that they've found that we are indeed what we eat. A recent study showed that "chocolate eaters are more likely to volunteer and help those in need, compared to people who ate crackers." Well, DUH!
Chocolate also helps prevent cavities!! This is due to the benefits of tannic acid or tannins found in a variety of food like chocolate. Tannins are naturally occurring Polyphenols and prevent cavities. Polyphenols are what make wine and many other fruits astringent and make variety of flowers and autumn leaves colorful. Polyphenols also cause precipitation of proteins. What that means is that it prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth. (so maybe a Dove dark chocolate bite before bed is basically GOOD for me?!)
Read more: Chocolate helps prevent cavities
Chocolate lovers have less strokes.
Chocolate Lovers have Less Strokes
There is a downside, in that the cocoa trade is very controversial, even involving child slavery. They are now pushing the big chocolate companies to make sure they are buying their ingrdedients from suppliers who do NOT use such practices. You can do your part by purchasing a chocolate product that is 'Fair Trade certified.'
The Bitter Truth
All in all, it's a fascinating food. Learn more if like -
History of Chocolate
It's nice to have no guilt as I bite into Halloween chocolate candy .....of course, these are not the good grade chololate to qualify for all the benefit you mentioned, especially having all that sugar!!! but still... it is good to know chocolates are our good friend rather than our enemy. Godiva/Belgium dark chocolate could be my real good friend. Yey!
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