Chocolates contain a higher amount of Magnesium which stimulates the production of Progesterone hormone which is responsible to deal with suppressing the stress in your body.
The history of 4000 years of chocolate consumption holds the truth that chocolate was first consumed as a bitter drink brewed from Cocoa beans which was considered the food of the divine and used by the royals. It was believed that cocoa drink has magical properties. The oldest civilization of Latin America named the Chocolate drink as the gift of Gods. In Mayans era after the Aztecs, chocolate became a form of currency because of the fame it was given as being consumed by the royals.
Chocolate as a therapy, chocolates contain a higher amount of Magnesium which stimulates the production of Progesterone hormone which is responsible to deal with suppressing the stress in your body. There are some emerging trends in self-care, chocolate routine, and chocolate spa – treatments. Several trends are Chocolate masks, Chocolate scrubs and hair treatments. They leave your skin moisturized and hydrated.
Dark Chocolate – The next superfood
Chocolates possess high nutritional properties enriched with flavonoids, antioxidants, flavanols, and polyphenols with neutralized effects of free radicals in the body. Moreover, they contain higher fat content than the fruits.
Dark Chocolate is enriched with a lot of minerals including zinc, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and copper. It helps in better brain functioning as it contains higher amount of antioxidants like Epicatechin, Catechin, Anthocyanins and phenolic acids. All of the above compounds prevent you from cell inflammation and also from cardiac diseases.
Flavanols are helpful in decreasing blood pressure levels and improving blood flow. Flavanols can also protect your skin from sun-damage and increase skin density.
Antioxidants in chocolate lower the bad cholesterol in the body, keep you away from cardiovascular diseases and lower the risk of heart stroke.
Theobromine is a compound in chocolate having a similar effect as Caffeine in coffee which has rapid effects on energy cognition. So it helps the brain to function better and improves memory, reducing the chance of Dementia in older adults.
Dopamine is one of the mood enchanters, phenylethylamine is the one that increases the dopamine level and is present in chocolates.
Dark chocolate also wonders as an antidepressant. According to a survey in the US, people who consume dark chocolate have less ratio of being depressed, milk chocolate has a lesser impact. On average, it requires only 12 grams of chocolate per day to achieve this target. Almost 45% of the patients in depressed episodes express a craving of chocolate.
About Author:
Amna Munir works as a Product Design Manger at Chocolate Academy Pakistan. She has earned a BS degree in Food Science and Technology with major in product development. She is currently doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management from COTHM. She is expert in developing new flavors with chocolate, designing colored chocolate bonbons, and customising desserts for different cafes and coffee shops.
