Unexpected benefits of eating chocolate
Eating too much chocolate isn't good because most products are very high in fat and sugar, but evidence suggests that chocolate is a miracle food.
Chocolate is a very popular food. Photo: Eva-Katalin/Canva Pro
In fact, chocolate, or more specifically cocoa in its unrefined form, is extremely good for health. It contains many active compounds that may have pharmacological effects on the body similar to medications. Much evidence suggests that chocolate is beneficial for both heart health and mental well-being.
Compounds that have a neurotransmitter effect on the brain must be able to cross the blood-brain barrier, or the protective shield that prevents toxins such as poisons and bacteria from entering the delicate nerve cells.
One of these compounds is theobromine. Theobromine is also found in tea, which is why tea tastes bitter.
Tea and chocolate also contain caffeine, a compound with some properties similar to theobromine, both belonging to the purine group of chemicals. These chemicals, along with others, make chocolate addictive. They are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to affect the nervous system. Therefore, they are known as psychoactive chemicals.
What effect does chocolate have on mood?
A meta-analysis of other studies found a link between emotions and chocolate consumption. In most cases, those who ate chocolate experienced improved mood, reduced anxiety, and increased energy.
Besides the brain, several other parts of the body also benefit from cocoa. For centuries, people have used chocolate as a remedy for many ailments, including anemia, tuberculosis, gout, and even low libido.
While scientists haven't definitively confirmed these claims, there is evidence suggesting that consuming cocoa has a positive impact on the cardiovascular system. Cocoa may prevent avascular nephropathy, a process in which arteries harden and plaque builds up, potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes.
Eating dark chocolate can also help lower blood pressure and prevent the formation of blood clots that block blood vessels. Some studies suggest that dark chocolate is helpful in regulating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which helps protect the heart.
Other studies have found that polyphenol compounds in chocolate also help improve blood sugar control, thus benefiting patients with type 2 diabetes.
However, it's important to note that chocolate may be good for some but not for others. There are clear documented cases of caffeine and theobromine poisoning in pets. Dogs are particularly susceptible due to their easy-going, unpicky nature.
Dark chocolate can cause symptoms such as agitation, muscle stiffness, and even seizures. In some cases, excessive consumption of dark chocolate has resulted in coma, irregular heartbeat, and even death. Chocolate also contains certain compounds that can cause kidney stones.
How should we consume chocolate?
Science suggests that the higher the cocoa content and the lower the content of other substances in chocolate, the better.
The harmful effects of chocolate are largely related to its fat and sugar content. Consuming about 20-30g of pure dark chocolate with a cocoa content above 70% daily is better than eating milk chocolate (which contains less cocoa) or white chocolate (which contains no cocoa).
